Simon Franklin

Millions of couples across the UK are choosing to forego marriage and live as cohabitees. However, without proper estate planning, they could be putting their finances at risk. Unlike their married counterparts, unmarried couples have no automatic right to...

Recent research has revealed that one fifth of parents have transferred assets to their children to lessen the amount of inheritance tax payable on their estates. Direct Line’s research revealed this amounted to more than 6.9 million parents and the...

Sometimes the generosity of a friend or relative leaving you a gift in their will can backfire if it turns out your estate will need to pay tax on it or if there is a chance that it could be swallowed up in future care costs or in...

Landlords are breathing a sigh of relief over the news that a court has allowed an eviction notice despite a copy of the gas safety certificate not being provided before the tenancy started. But experts are warning that attention to the small print is...

Every year, thousands of people die intestate or without a will. That means they haven’t left any clear guidelines as to how they want their estate divided up among their beneficiaries. The numbers are incredible too, with around 70% of the UK...

Who has the right to roam on your property? If you’ve discovered that your property is subject to an easement, you may be wondering who has access and who can pass over your land. The first thing not to do is panic, but instead to establish...

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...