LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY –v- DEPUTYSHIP

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…

GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON NON RESIDENT SDLT SURCHARGE

“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 Property Ownership – Tax Implications

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…

DEVON RESTRICTIONS (S157 Restrictive Covenants)

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,…

Tenant Fees Act 2019 – What Does It Mean For Section 21 Notices?

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…

Choupette – The world’s richest cat!

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…

The Bank of Mum & Dad

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…

Separation and Divorce – Take the Right Advice!

“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…

Bartons’ Marine Team Does it Again

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…

Gifting

The season of giving is here and although inheritance tax may be far from your mind, it’s always worthwhile to consider the rules on gifting. Small gifts such as Christmas or birthday gifts do not form part of your estate for inheritance…