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Inheritance Law Blog

How to make the most of solar farm prospects

Matthew Hayward
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Advances in technology mean that rural Yorkshire is these days a viable location for large scale solar farms – so yet another string is added to the diversification bow. However, the scale and longevity of such schemes means that greater care needs to...

Gifts to charities as part of inheritance tax planning

Philip Nelson
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When estate planning is considered, the focus is usually on what reliefs are available from inheritance tax and a sometimes overlooked exemption is that of gifts to charity. There are two aspects to this. Firstly a gift to charity is exempt from inheritance...

Delays to probate application approval - how to lessen the impact

Ed Ryder
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Ever lengthening waiting times for probate applications to be approved are generating additional burdens for executors, particularly those sorting out issues without professional support. For example, waiting times in respect of more complex...

Legal 500 - Fantastic results for Harrowells

Peter Mills
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Each year Legal 500 publish a report focused on the quality of advice and nature of work undertaken by leading law firms in the UK, including our own. Legal 500 base their assessment, to a significant extent, on feedback given directly to Legal 500 by our...

Succession...comes to Yorkshire

Philip Williams
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Like me, you might be an avid follower of the epic Sky Atlantic box set ‘Succession’ (no spoilers please – I’m still wading through season 2). For those who haven’t seen the show, the drama features a family who own a...

'The Reading of the Will' is a myth created by Hollywood

Philip Nelson
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I was discussing with colleagues the various probate and will myths we have come across over the years.  The one that occurred to us and is most asked about is 'The Reading of the Will' when someone dies. Films always portray the...

Gifting during your lifetime can reduce the inheritance tax bill

Philip Nelson
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Inheritance tax is often thought of as a tax that only applies on death. Its scope, however, is wider than that. Its predecessor was called capital transfer tax, which is closer to the mark. Whilst it is mainly payable on death, it is also relevant in...

Demystifying inheritance tax planning

Philip Nelson
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‘Tax shouldn’t be taxing’ was the rather optimistic HMRC advert some years ago. Unfortunately, that is not the case and the Treasury has a habit of tinkering and adding to tax legislation which creates an ever more impenetrable concepts. ...

Explaining the terminology concerning probate

Philip Nelson
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Dealing with someone’s estate following a death can feel like a real challenge, fortunately most of us only have to face it once or twice and therefore it can seem like a step into the unknown.  The terminology and procedures are also alien and...

Great results for Harrowells in the Legal 500 2023 report

Peter Mills
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Legal 500 have just published their latest report (‘the 2023 edition’) and the firm has, once again, achieved a strong showing. We have received formal recognition of our excellent service delivery and high technical standards across nine...

Care fees planning and stamp duty on second homes

Rebecca Laffan
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My parents’ Wills set up a trust for the family home to help with care fees planning. Will I have to pay second home stamp duty rates on the purchase of my own property as I am a beneficiary of a property under my parents Will? This is a question we...

The farmer 'lump sum exit scheme' needs to be considered with care

Philip Nelson
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It is a well-known ‘fact’ that farmers never retire; there is always far too much to do to have that luxury. Many farmers we deal with are keen to pass the farm and business on to whichever member of the family is most willing, whilst keeping...

Can the terms of my Will be kept secret after I die?

Ed Ryder
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You may have seen the recent news that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Will is to remain secret for at least 90 years in order to protect the “dignity and standing” of the Queen. Apart from possibly igniting immense curiosity as to how Prince...

A guide to Inheritance Tax: the legal aspects

Philip Williams
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Inheritance Tax (IHT) is primarily a charge on your assets on death, including your share of assets jointly held with another person. However, lifetime gifts made within seven years prior to your death can also be brought back into charge. IHT is also...

Organ Donation - Did you know the Law changed in the first Lockdown?

Philip Williams
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From 20 May 2020, the law on organ donation in England changed to an opt-out system. This means that in most cases, adults who die in England will be treated as having agreed to be an organ donor. If you are thinking about your Will, it is a good time to...

Harrowells boosts Private Client Department with senior appointments

Peter Mills
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Harrowells has strengthened its Private Client Department’s senior team with the promotion of Monika Bone to partner and the appointment of Philip Williams as an associate solicitor. Philip joins from the private capital group at Addleshaw...

Q: Can a widow, who has remarried, use 3 nil rate bands in their inheritance tax planning? A: Yes...

Philip Williams
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Q: Can a widow (or widower), who has remarried, use the nil rate band from their deceased first partner in their inheritance tax planning - effectively meaning they have up to 3 nil rate bands? A: Yes – provided that (1) the widow’s Will is...

Harrowells now has an office in Malton

Peter Mills
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Our Agricultural, Commercial and Private Client Teams have been successful in winning new instructions in the Ryedale area in recent months. As a result, we have opened a base in Malton so that we can more easily look after our clients and contacts in the...

The four things you need to know about Lasting Powers of Attorney

Ed Ryder
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Hopefully the vaccine rollmout means the threat of Covid-19 will recede as we move further into 2021. However, media stories over the past year, and possibly personal experiences, will have underlined the important and beneficial role of having your affairs...

Why a Power of Attorney for health and care decisions is a good idea

Jordan Calpin
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You may have seen the recent news reports regarding a woman who was detained by the Police after she removed her 97-year-old mother, who has dementia, from her care home. It was reported that Mrs Angeli, a qualified nurse, was concerned for her...

Trusts can play a role in farming succession planning

Philip Nelson
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Trusts like central heating, roads and other useful items date back to the Romans but it is to medieval times we owe our current trust law when landowners heading off to crusades made their lands subject to a trust, ensuring their wives and infant children...

DIY is not best when it comes to your will

Ed Ryder
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The number of wills that are challenged and contested has risen steadily in recent years and, in a large number of cases, badly drafted do-it-yourself wills are the root cause of the problems that arise. Even seemingly straightforward instructions in a...

Independent recognition of our high quality service

Peter Mills
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Legal 500 undertake an independent assessment of the reputation and quality of service of leading UK law firms. Their latest report, published in September 2020, recognises the quality of our service across seven practice areas, as defined by their research...

Those I trust will automatically be able to oversee my care. Right? Wrong

Ed Ryder
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A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone of your choice to look after your affairs if you lack the capacity to do so. Medical, care and financial institutions have all tightened up their procedures in recent years and often require evidence...

Does my property and money automatically pass to my nearest and dearest?

Ed Ryder
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A common assumption is that the law automatically ensures someone’s property and money passes, upon their death, to their ‘nearest and dearest’. There are legal rules in place to deal with situations where no will exists, known as the...

Now is a good time to get your affairs in order

Ed Ryder
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None of us like to think about our eventual demise or about the practicalities if we become dependent on the care of others; that is perfectly understandable. However, as a solicitor who has advised many local individuals, couples and families, I can say...

All our offices are open for pre-arranged appointments

Peter Mills
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All our offices are open for pre-arranged appointments as well as for telephone or video meetings. Contact us as normal by phone or email and we will happily arrange a scheduled meeting to discuss your matter. Please bear in mind that, with...

What are the legal rules about witnessing Wills?

Ed Ryder
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Currently you need to sign your Will in the presence of two independent witnesses. Obviously the pandemic has made it more difficult for people to comply with this and, as a result, there has been quite a lot of discussion amongst lawyers about...

Recent drop in probate applications may mean executors face delays in the months ahead

Ed Ryder
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The Courts Service recently reported that probate applications have dropped by 50% during the current lockdown. Consequently there is concern that there will be a large upsurge in applications as lockdown starts to ease. This will almost inevitably...

Can I make or change a Will during lockdown?

Ed Ryder
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This is one of a series of blogs answering questions people have raised with us about practical issues in relation to the Covid-19 lockdown. Yes, it is perfectly possible to make or change your Will during the lockdown. It is all about putting practical...

Jenni Bartram joins Harrowells Solicitors

Peter Mills
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One of Yorkshire’s best-known agricultural solicitors has joined Harrowells Solicitors. Jenni Bartram, a long-standing member of the Agricultural Law Association and former president of the Yorkshire Law Society, joined Harrowells in February...

5 reasons for having a Will

Monika Bone
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We often find people can be unclear about the specific benefits of having a Will . As a result, they procrastinate and put off thinking about it. Here are five very good reasons for putting a Will in place that reflects your circumstances and wishes: If...

Legal 500 recognition

Peter Mills
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Every year Legal 500 assess the reputation and quality of client service of the top 10% of UK law firms using a mix of primary research and feedback from a sample of law firms’ clients. The latest report has just been published and I am pleased to...

Brexit - Making your business resilient

Matt Rowley
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We are all aware that the process of ‘Brexit’ is likely to involve considerable change whatever the short term and longer term outcomes. The challenge for business owners and senior managers is deciding how to prioritise and plan. Trying to...

Shortlisted for Yorkshire Legal Awards

Peter Mills
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We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for this year's Yorkshire Legal Awards in two categories: Private Client and Residential Property . Organised by Barker Brooks Communications, publishers of Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer ...

Ageing without immediate family to assist

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Much of the guidance available these days about planning for the future assumes you have immediate family who are able and willing to assist. As legal advisers, we know this is not always the case – for a variety of reasons. This is why we make a...

Potential benefits of 'Lifetime Trusts'

Ed Ryder
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There are many misconceptions about trusts – about who typically uses them and about their intended purpose. Many think trusts are primarily about saving tax and only for the seriously wealthy. In fact, there is a long history of trusts being used in...

What to do if a will is challenged

Simon Black
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Rising affluence has given increased opportunity for individuals to pass on wealth to chosen members of their family. Unfortunately, in our experience, this has also led to a rising number of wills that are being challenged by those either not included in a...

Do you have a checklist alongside your Will or LPA?

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In light of billions of pounds left unclaimed with UK financial institutions, we offer a checklist to help people record their assets before they become too ill to do so. The checklist is offered to all those who contact us for advice on drawing up a Will,...

Minimising care costs: false hopes v proper planning

Jordan Calpin
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We often come across situations where families have sought to minimise future care costs for an elderly relative either by passing ownership of their home to other family members or by participating in poorly conceived ‘asset protection trusts’....

Harrowells wins Legal 500 recognition

Peter Mills
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Each year Legal 500 undertakes a research-based assessment of the reputation and quality of work of leading law firms in the UK. The 2017 results were announced in October and we have received formal recognition in a number of practice areas. These...

Specialist estates planning lawyer joins Harrowells

Ed Ryder
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We have expanded our Private Client Department with the appointment of a new partner. Philip Nelson (pictured left with Head of Department Ed Ryder) lives near York and joins from specialist national private client law firm, Wrigleys, Leeds....

Powers of attorney for your business

Ed Ryder
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More and more people are familiar with the idea of Lasting Powers of Attorney – a document that appoints attorneys to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself in the future because of mental or physical incapacity. Often these...