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The firm are delighted to announce that they have been shortlisted not only once but three times for this year’s prestigious ‘Law Net Awards 2022’ and for the first time being shortlisted for their green initiatives in the category,...
An absolutely huge congratulations to Debbie Webster from our Gravesend Private Client team for winning the 'Unsung Hero Award' at last nights UK Probate Research Awards 2022 in London. What a fantastic achievement and so well deserved. Well done...
The new divorce process which has been long awaited in the legal world, came into force on the 6 th April 2022. According to new figures, Divorce applications have surged by as much as 50% since then. What changes have been made to divorce law? From 6...
Aspiring property host? Check the small print! As the shutters lift on life, with shops and bars opening and holiday planning underway, property owners may be thinking of cashing in on the demand for UK trips by offering their home for short-term lets,...
With today's change in Divorce Law, the first time in 50 years, we wanted to look at things you may need to consider after divorce proceedings have concluded. If you have recently divorced, you may be wondering what happens next. Going through the...
As part of inheritance tax planning, or simply as part of passing on wealth to the next generation, you may consider gifting money or property to family or friends. However, there are several things you need to know about gifting and inheritance tax. In this...
It’s here! - The long-awaited Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will come into force on 6 th April 2022. It has been confirmed that after decades of campaigning for divorce reforms, England and Wales will finally see the end of what...
The firm attended the The British Conveyancing Awards on Tuesday 15th March 2022. Hosted by Multi-award winning journalist and broadcaster; Samira Ahmed, these Conveyancing Awards was an evening to recognise the very best of the...
Shortlisted for third year in a row for the UK Probate Research Awards 2022! We are absolutely thrilled to have found out this morning that our firm has been shortlisted for ‘Best Probate Law Firm: London & the South-East’ Award for the...
The ongoing pandemic has placed many pressures on our personal lives, with one in five relationships struggling to survive according to research by University College London. It’s a further regrettable statistic from the past two years, but if...
If you are a landlord of a commercial property, you may find yourself in the situation where you need to evict a tenant and take back possession of your property. This area of the law can be complicated - the best way to proceed will depend on your specific...
Young people have an important role to play in shaping the future of the internet, including the spaces where they spend time and the etiquette for interacting with others online. Safer Internet Day will be celebrated on February 8th 2022, and the theme for...
If you are thinking about writing a will, you may have considered doing it yourself. There are many templates and tools available online, along with vast amounts of information about the law and how to go about writing your own will. However, there are...
Equity release activity climbs 24% year-on-year to £4.8bn as market returns to growth. Summary • Record amounts of property wealth were accessed via equity release products in Q4 and across 2021 by more than 76,000 new and returning customers,...
Sometimes navigating the muddy waters of divorce can be a frustrating and drawn out process. We are not just talking about settlements and the financials, it’s the children involved that most of our anxiety may surround. How do we ensure their lives...
If you are renting your home, it is your landlord’s responsibility to provide heating and hot water. When the heating or boiler fails through no fault of your own, your landlord must repair or replace the boiler or other equipment. Of course, how long...
Professionals working with the elderly and vulnerable are raising concerns over future safeguarding following a dramatic fall in the number of lasting powers of attorneys registered during the coronavirus pandemic. Figures from the Office of the Public...
If you are considering an at-home fireworks display or perhaps a bonfire, you need to be sure that you do not fall foul of the law. Rules concerning fireworks and bonfires are designed to keep us all safe and to prevent nuisance in the neighbourhood. In this...
Christmas is the season of giving and after last year's disrupted celebrations, spreading joy and good will feels more important than ever. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's the importance of supporting our communities as well as doing our...
If you have decided to separate from your partner, there are certain practicalities that you will need to work out together. Even if you are unsure if you will divorce or dissolve your civil partnership, in the interim, you will need certainty about matters...
If you are renting accommodation as a student, you should fully understand your rights - and your obligations. When things go wrong in your flat or house, you have the right to get them fixed. In this article, we look at your rights when renting and how to...
The International Day of Charity takes place annually on 5 September, but did you know that one of the best ways to support a charity is to leave them a gift in your will? Many charities in the UK rely on donations left by their supporters, and any gift you...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has received national recognition with two wins at the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards for its work in property law. Last week at a glittering ceremony at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool, we picked up the ‘Outstanding...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors joins with thousands of family professionals to launch the Parenting Through Separation Guide during Good Divorce Week, an annual initiative by the family justice organisation Resolution to raise awareness of how families can...
The Government has confirmed that the long-awaited Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill 2020, which introduces 'no-fault' divorces in England and Wales, will be delayed and won't be implemented this autumn. The Government is now working on a...
The eco-friendly kitchen begins with eating green, but it doesn't end there. Energy-efficient food preparation and cleaning habits, using equipment made from sustainable materials, and dodging toxic chemicals are also important if you want to have a...
Nobody likes to think about a time when they are no longer around and talking to loved ones about what you would like to happen after you pass away may seem morbid or unnecessary. However, talking about financial and practical matters can help put your mind...
You may have heard that the UK is hosting a summit called COP26, which is seen as being really important if climate change is to be brought under control. The COP26 event is a global United Nations summit around climate change and how countries plan to...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is pleased to announce an important partnership with THG (more:trees) ensuring thousands of extra trees will be planted each year. Carbon dioxide is one of the biggest causes of climate change, which makes forests one of our...
At this time of year, we often are contacted by separated or co-parenting families with questions around Christmas contact arrangements . Generally speaking, separated parents agree Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are “ring fenced”...
5 ways to be greener in your bathroom now! 1. Use soap bars instead of shower gels There is a chemical, as well as aesthetic, difference between liquid soap and soap bars. Soap is made from a combination of fat/oil, water, and an alkali (traditionally...
October will see a major milestone in notice periods for residential tenancies where landlords are seeking possession, as they revert to pre-pandemic requirements. But with fears of a tough winter, as gas prices soar and furlough support ends, landlords...
If you own an electric scooter, quad bike or similar mode of transportation, it’s important to understand the rules and your obligations. In this article, we set out how and where you can legally use these types of vehicles. Powered transporters and...
A more straightforward digital system to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) could come into play, but experts say that it is vital that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect elderly and vulnerable people from abuse. In this article, we look at...
Martin Tolhurst is delighted to announce that it has maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification, which it achieved in 2019. ISO 9001:2015 is an internationally recognised standard that ensures services meet clients' needs through an effective quality...
When a couple makes the decision to separate, the breakdown of the relationship can have far-reaching consequences. Unfortunately, grandparents of any children of the relationship can suffer and even be prevented from seeing their grandchildren as often as...
With pupils making their return to school, and many coronavirus restrictions now lifted, we understand that both parents and pupils will have questions about what to expect. In this article, we look at the rules around wearing masks, self-isolating and...
A recent survey has given some insight as to reasons why a buyer withdraws from a transaction. The survey was carried out by a “quick buy” company that specialises in buying houses where transactions have recently fallen through. Almost...
When someone you love has passed away, the last thing you will be thinking about is debt. However, there are many misconceptions about debt and inheritance, and it is essential to understand the position. Many people believe that when a person dies, the...
There are various challenges that come with foreign travel this year: from the added expense of Covid tests to the risk of quarantine if your chosen destination moves to the amber or red list. As a result, many holidaymakers are choosing to vacation here in...
Parents have a legal responsibility to provide financially for their children even if they no longer live with them. What happens if a parent doesn’t pay? Under a child maintenance arrangement, child maintenance is usually paid by the parent who does...
As part of our drive to reduce risk to clients we have recently obtained 2 further accreditations. The first is the award of Cyber essentials Plus to recognise our work in having processes to prevent cyber-crime and fraud. We are very aware of this daily...
In a time where cyber threats are at an all time high, it is important for firms across the country to invest time and effort into securing their systems against these threats. At Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, securing and ensuring your data is safe is one of...
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every industry in the UK, with many businesses experiencing a severe strain on their cashflow as a result. While commercial tenants may be struggling to pay rent in full and on a regular basis, their landlord could...
If you intend to leave savings, property or other assets to family or friends after you die, you need to consider inheritance tax (IHT). It could cost your heirs up to 40% of their inheritance. By planning ahead, you can minimise IHT and ensure as much of...
With the COVID-19 vaccine being quickly rolled out across the UK, there are concerns among some about the long-term impact and side effects of the vaccine. As a result, some are reluctant to get the vaccine themselves or let their children be vaccinated. The...
The world of social media can often seem like the wild west of the internet. Everyone has simple access to an audience and can share anything they wish. In a matter of minutes, a post can go viral, spreading a message or causing damage to a brand's...
With travel restrictions prevailing in the UK, for many, travelling to their usual holiday destination may be impractical or even impossible. However, travelling around the UK is permitted, and with warmer weather and beautiful countryside, camping in...
We are thrilled to announce that we are now members of the Legal Sustainability Alliance, an inclusive movement of law firms committed to taking action and working collaboratively to improve the environmental sustainability of our operations. We...
It seems that people in the UK are a charitable bunch. In fact, last year, just under £3 billion was donated to charity in wills, which is expected to rise to £3.4 billion by 2022. This figure means that 3.5% of all of the money left in estates...
