Latest Posts
Are divorce laws in crisis? On 25 July 2018, the Supreme Court rules that 68-year-old Tini Owens must stay in a “loveless” marriage. Resolution, an association of specialist family lawyers believe there is a “divorce crisis”...
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...
The relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can be very special and one that most parents fully support. On occasions, however, access can be cut off or restricted, causing hurt and upset. Ashley Le-Core, family law expert at...
Richard Carter, a Partner specialising in Property matters at the Firm, has reacted to the news of proposed new laws designed to prevent property fraud. “Two years of consultation the Law Commission has proposed some new legislation to modernise the...
Relationship breakdown can be difficult and highly emotional experience. However it can be ten times worse if there are children involved. Every situation will be different and depend on the unique circumstances of the family unit. Whatever happens, it is...
We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Perrys Exceptional Awards 2018 for Business Community Initiative in recognition of outstanding charitable contribution in Kent! This category aims to reward companies that create positive change in the communities...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors have donated 250 Beach Balls to East Stour Primary School in Ashford after anonymous company misprinted the firm’s logo. Not exactly your every day summer holiday story, meant to be a fun summer gift for the staff, the...
If you are a recently divorced step-parent and are wondering what rights you have with regard to seeing your step-children, there are a number of things you need to know. Here, we take a look at what happens after a divorce, what measures a step-parent can...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors have confirmed that after a firm wide vote they will now be supporting North Kent MIND as their new chosen charity. The Kent firm has around 160 members of staff and has seen a huge rise in the importance of Mental Health in the...
Kent Law Firm, Martin Tolhurst Solicitors are delighted to announce that they have been shortlisted for this years ‘Training Firm of the Year 2018’ by LFS awards. The awards, which are sponsored by Groundsure, are widely recognised as being the...
A new online service should cut the stress of applying for a divorce according to the Ministry of Justice, but family law professionals say it’s likely to benefit only those with simple finances who are pursuing the DIY route. The...
Stress, the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2018, can be defined as the degree to which you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope as a result of pressures that are unmanageable. Becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems By...
It’s a worrying thought that due to the rise in value of property in the UK, more people are finding that they may fall into the inheritance tax bracket. When dealing with the death of a loved one the last thing you would expect is an inheritance tax...
You would be hard pushed trying to find a link between UK Business Law and The Eurovision Song Contest, however at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors we have found that link! Our Business Law specialist and Partner Andrew Ashley-Edwards has recently returned from...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors are pleased to announce Rebecca Young, a Trainee Solicitor with the Firm has qualified as a Solicitor and has joined the Firm’s Ashford conveyancing team. The Ashford team now boasts 10 conveyancing specialists, with 35...
If you die without a will, who inherits your estate? Well let’s start with what intestacy is. The rules of the intestacy are the laws that determine who will inherit the estate of someone who dies without leaving a will. If you die without...
Sometimes when the family court orders a payment to be made by your former spouse to settle a financial claim in divorce proceedings, the money owed is not always handed over when it should be. Where this happens it can be difficult to know what to do....
In November 2017, the Money section of The Times published an article about Maria Hillman and Paul Cutler who found that their father’s £300,000 estate suffered more than £100,000 in legal fees by the firm of solicitors who administered the...
Kent has a lot of beautiful “chocolate box” cottages within its countryside. Estate Agents particulars at this time of year will show them off to their magnificent best with spring and summer flowers and stripey lawns! While listed buildings are...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors have just donated an astonishing £20,000 to their chosen charity Ellenor this week. This is a massive achievement for the Kent solicitors firm in helping support such an amazing cause close to their hearts. ...
Whether you are married, in a civil partnership, or just living together, splitting up can be an emotional time. If there are children involved, the feelings of hurt and anger can be magnified. However, this is the time when your children need you to be at...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Rothwell as their newest partner to the firm. Paul originally trained with Martin Tolhurst Solicitors and then worked for another large regional firm, but he has now returned. He...
Martin Tolhurst announces Managing Partner, Richard Carter to join the Law Society, Money Laundering Task Force. Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is proud to be able to announce that Managing Partner, Richard Carter has been selected to join the vital Law...
New Build Housing Shortfall in Kent - Government threatens to act. We are hearing more and more about a “housing crisis”, “generation rent” and “new build shortfalls”. This week in his Spring Statement the...
Ten important items for you to consider before 6 April to reduce inheritance tax on your estate. Tax planning is an important part of your annual spring cleaning. If you want to take advantage of the allowances available to you this tax year, it is...
After a week of all offices being open in difficult weather conditions, we have had to close all offices at 3pm today Friday 2nd March to enable our staff to get home safely. Some offices are in locations experiencing freezing rain and snow with treacherous...
Our last announcement of today! Our Gravesend and Medway offices will close at 4pm today due to local weather and traffic conditions. Our other 4 offices at Dartford, Ashford, Longfield and Sittingbourne will close at 5pm. We apologise for any inconvenience....
All offices of Martin Tolhurst Solicitors will be open as usual but will have reduced staff due to weather conditions, we thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience caused....
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors are delighted to be working closely with new London Estate Agent, Hadleys London in providing our highly rated and professional conveyancing service to both buyers and sellers alike. Kevin Denny, Conveyancing Partner and his...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors welcomed the cut to SDLT for First Time Buyers announced by the Chancellor in his budget On Thursday. Residential Property Partner Richard Carter commented: “The payment of a large upfront payment for SDLT has always...
Some figures released this week give the first definite indications that landlords in England and Wales are re-evaluating their portfolios and properties, and beginning to sell properties. Richard Carter, the Managing Partner of Martin Tolhurst and...
The firm are experiencing difficulties with its phone systems this morning, Wednesday 15th November. An engineer is working on this as a matter of urgency and the firm hopes to have this rectified shortly. Thank you for your understanding and we...
Paul Rothwell, Wills and Probate Solicitor in our Gravesend based Wills and Probate department comments on the recent case of Nahajec v Fowle. Recently there have been a couple of cases heard in court about estranged children successfully making claims...
When couples separate, most of the arrangements regarding children can usually be resolved between the parents amicably. However, in rare cases, the relationship between the parents may have broken down to such an extent that one parent feels compelled...
Christmas is traditionally a time for families to come together. However for separated or divorced parents, the festive period can be a challenging time. The prospect of spending Christmas day without your children can stir emotions and cause considerable...
KENT Law Firm, Martin Tolhurst Solicitors were celebrating at the LawFirmServices Conveyancing Awards last week, on 20th September 2017 – after being announced Training Firm of the Year nationally by LFS at the awards ceremony.
KENT law firm Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has taken on an additional two new Trainee Solicitors this Summer and now has a record number of Trainee Solicitors this year. The firm, whose head office is in Gravesend but which has 5 other offices throughout...
Very rarely do the outcome of cases result in a change of how courts will deal with the financial outcome of divorcing couples. The recent Court of Appeal ruling in the case of Julie and Robin Sharp may well have just done that. Mrs Sharp earlier this...
This week Martin Tolhurst Solicitors filed its returns with the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) on Diversity and Equality. The return has to be completed with the SRA every 2 years. The SRA collects and monitors the data as part of a...
The names of the brightest and best from the solicitor profession have been unveiled by the Law Society for its annual Excellence Awards, now in its 11th year. The awards recognise the commitment, enthusiasm, and passion that solicitors dedicate to serving...
Business law specialist Andrew Ashley-Edwards shares his thoughts on his long running affection for the nation’s small businesses. There is no disguising the general decline of the Great British high street in the 21st century and it is regularly...
Research shows that gazumping is back in the property market and Jane Williams, a partner at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors, the South East’s busiest conveyancing firm, has looked at the reason behind gazumping. Research from Countrywide Estate...
In a bid to make the divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships process easier for separating couples to understand, the government is introducing a new set of forms to apply for divorce or dissolution with effect from 7 August this year. It is possible...
Simon Franklin, of the Wills, Trust and Probate department at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors has welcomed the announcement that there is to be a Law Commission to look at updating Will writing laws. Simon said, “Making arrangements for when we pass away...
Today our esteemed colleague, Laura Drawbridge, bravely embarks on the mammoth task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, with a small team accompanying her – all in aid of our charity of the year, ellenor. Having previously taken part in a tandem skydive...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors is delighted to have been shortlisted once again this year for both ‘Conveyancing Firm of the Year in the London & South East Region’ and ‘Law Firm Training Provider of the Year’ at the LawFirmServices...
Martin Tolhurst Solicitors regrets to inform you that the Gravesend office will be closed on Thursday 15th June from 9am-11.30am. This is as a mark of respect to a much valued colleague, Miriam Mepham, who suddenly and sadly passed away recently. The office...
Government increases in Stamp Duty have cooled the Buy-to-Let market, but First Time Buyers take up the slack! An industry leading report from the Council of Mortgage Lenders was today analysed by Richard Carter, a Property Partner at Martin Tolhurst...
Spring is here, our gardens are beginning to fill with colour, our evenings are brighter and the English wedding season is around the corner. The website www.hitched.co.uk suggests that each year UK weddings are worth £10billion, with each wedding...
Kevin Denny, a Senior Residential Conveyancing Partner at Martin Tolhurst Solicitors confirms that there had been no Stamp Duty changes to property in the recent budget. He commented “Spreadsheet Phil decided that there have been enough changes...
