Can a family member who was being paid to care for a family member make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 if they are left out of a will?

Proposed changes could have far-reaching implications for future estate tax planning Sweeping reform of inheritance tax has been recommended to cut complexity of the so-called ‘death tax’, but experts are warning that individuals will need to review existing planning if the changes go ahead.

There has been much case law over recent years about when on call workers are entitled to be paid. The Scottish EAT has now added to the vast amount of case law on the matter, by hearing the case of; Truslove and another v Scottish Ambulance Service. Truslove confirms the current position, which is that where a worker is required to remain at the workplace and available for work with a view to providing their services at some point, this will amount to working-time and not a rest period. This is the case even if the worker is allowed to sleep and so the worker is entitled to be paid for their time.

If you’re a parent, you’ll be familiar with how difficult it can sometimes be to get your children to accompany you to the shops or appointments. If only you could safely leave your child on their own and get those daily tasks done quickly. But where does the law stand with this?

Deciding to take the plunge and meet with a family lawyer for the first time can be a hugely daunting experience.

A new Court of Appeal decision highlights the unusual case of an employee who successfully brought a disability discrimination claim even though she is not, and is not likely ever to be, disabled.

Anyone familiar with residential tenancies will know of the onerous duties placed on landlords to protect deposits taken from tenants. Once the initial window for compliance has passed, you cannot serve a valid Section 21 Notice and are automatically liable for a claim for a minimum of one and maximum of three times the value of the deposit. This is the case even if breach is only a failure to provide prescribed information about the protection scheme.

The High Court has again delivered judgments in relation to applications by the Queen’s Proctor to set aside divorce decrees in four different cases on the ground that the petitions breached the 1 year bar. The 1 year bar is set out in section 3 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and states that neither party to a marriage may commence divorce proceedings before the couple have been married for 1 year.

The Government has announced plans to tackle unfair leaseholder arrangements on new build properties, but in the meantime, as the Spring housing market gets into full swing, it’s worth understanding the difference between freehold and leasehold property. 

Buying your home is probably the most expensive investment that you will ever make so it pays to get the right advice. As one of the oldest and largest firms in the South West, we aim to provide you with a swift and expert service at a competitive price.

The government has today issued a press release announcing its commitment to reforming divorce law as soon as Parliamentary time will allow. The reforms will remove the need for couples to wait 2 years after separating and fault-based petitions.

A child may feel torn between both parents or angry and one or both parents for the relationship breaking down. Every situation will be different and depend on the unique circumstances of the family unit, but it should be everyone’s concern that the children are protected from any animosity between the parents.