News
Man’s will found in draft form on computer ruled to be valid
The High Court has ruled that a man’s will that existed only in draft form on a computer, but which was signed by two reliable witnesses, should be accepted as valid. This is a highly unusual decision because generally, the original will, signed in the presence of two witnesses present at the same time, must…
Read MoreUK House Prices rose by more than 12.4% over the last year
House prices across the UK increased by an average of 12.4% in the year to April 2022, according to the latest figures from the Land Registry. It means the average property in the UK is now valued at £281,161. On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, house prices increased by 1.1% between March and April…
Read MoreTV’s Kate Garraway highlights value of powers of attorney
The heart-breaking experience of TV presenter Kate Garraway and her husband highlights the value of drawing up Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) to protect your future. Garraway’s husband Derek Draper suffered a terrible reaction to Covid and still has a long way to go in his recovery. The Good Morning Britain star said…
Read MoreSeller of land should have pointed out defect in title
A woman who bought land at auction has successfully appealed a High Court ruling that she must make up a seller’s shortfall after she refused to complete the purchase. The issue arose after the buyer, Ms Mahil, had purchased the land from SPS Groundworks & Building Ltd. The catalogue had described the land as…
Read More355,000 homeowners benefit from Help to Buy scheme
More than 355,000 homeowners have benefited from the Help to Buy scheme since it was introduced in 2013, according to the latest government figures. First-time buyers account for 83% of total purchases. The total value of Help to Buy: Equity Loan stands at £22 billion and the value of the properties sold under the scheme…
Read MoreLPAs can help protect your interests as dementia figures rise in UK
The government is to launch a 10-Year Plan to tackle dementia following estimates that one million people will be living with the disease in the UK by 2025 and 1.6 million by 2040. Speaking at the Alzheimer’s Society Conference 2022, Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the plan will focus on how new medicines and…
Read MoreNew fund established to help build 10,000 new homes by 2025
A new fund has been set up to help builders provide an extra 10,000 new homes over the next three years. The Housing Growth Partnership II (HGP) has been established by Lloyds Banking Group and Homes England and will provide £300 million to small and medium-sized regional housebuilders in the UK. The partnership aims to…
Read MoreDementia sufferer was aware of his actions so his will was valid
An elderly farmer who suffered from dementia understood what he was doing when he changed his will shortly before his death and so the alterations should be accepted as representing his true wishes. That was the decision of the Court of Appeal in a case involving a dispute between members of the same family. In…
Read MoreBan on ground rent will cut costs for future leaseholders
A government ban on charging ground rent on new leases is set to cut costs for future homeowners by hundreds of pounds a year. The ban comes into force in England and Wales on 30 June 2022. Leasehold is a form of home ownership that gives a leaseholder the exclusive right to live in a…
Read MoreWriting on back of envelope not enough to alter woman’s will
A court has ruled that informal writing on the back of an envelope was not enough to challenge the terms of a woman’s will. The woman had made will in 2012 with the help of her solicitor. After her death in 2019 at the age of 93, some writing was found on an envelope containing…
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