Around 3.4 million UK citizens have additional properties that they leave empty as an investment or use as holiday homes. In the South West, we have a much higher proportion of second or holiday homes, particularly in South Hams hotspots such as Salcombe, East Portlemouth and Dartmouth. Owners naturally wish to maximise the return from […]
We all hope that our mental and physical health will not fail us but none of us know what life has in store. What are our options? Should we plan ahead and put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) knowing that should we need assistance in the future then at least we have […]
“The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to procure the largest quantity of feathers with the least possible amount of hissing.” – Jean-Baptiste Colbert (Louis XIV’s finance minister) Until relatively recently the UK was a tax haven for overseas buyers by reason of potentially favourable treatment for CGT (Capital Gains Tax) and IHT (Inheritance […]
From 6th April 2017 the UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) law changed so that the use of offshore companies to own UK residential property can no longer provide a shelter for Inheritance Tax. For deaths on or after 6th April 2017 all non-UK domiciled persons will now be liable to pay Inheritance Tax at the rate […]
If you are looking to purchase a property in Devon there are many towns and villages which include properties that are subject to a Devon Restriction. To name a few, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Thurlestone, Hope Cove, Bigbury, Ugborough, South Milton, Honiton, Chudleigh, Budleigh Salterton and Axminster. A Devon Restriction means that you can only buy the property […]
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 will come into force on 1 June 2019. Whilst there has been a great deal of publicity around the fact that a wide range of fees currently charged by landlords and letting agents will be outlawed, there has been less written about the impact which these changes could have on […]
Shortly after the news of Karl Lagerfeld’s death was announced came the somewhat surprising news that due to the writing of his Will, his pet cat, Choupette, was expected to receive a substantial part of his estate. Mr Lagerfeld was a German national living in France but it is interesting to consider to what extent […]
After recently returning to Bartons after a period of maternity leave, Kristy Giles, Associate Director and Head of the Kingsbridge Property Department, has reflected on the changes to the legal profession in the last 20 years since she began as a junior. The Bank of Mum and Dad is now more prevalent than ever before […]
“Knowledge is power” is a popular saying attributed to Sir Francis Bacon in the 16th century and still rings true today. The more information and expert advice we have, the easier it is to make good and sensible decisions. At this time of year, family lawyers receive a surge of enquiries from people who […]
Bartons solicitors’ Marine team have again secured its rankings in the prestigious legal directories The Legal 500 2019 and Chambers & Partners 2018. The directories analyse the capabilities of law firms across the world. Both undertake comprehensive research with clients and peers to rank applicants. Bartons Marine are delighted to be ranked in the […]