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It seems that the media is increasingly talking about cryptocurrencies (which, in short, are online-based units of currency using cryptography for security).  One of the most well-known forms of cryptocurrency is Bitcoin.  This article is not going to explore the pros and cons of cryptocurrencies or offer any kind of financial advice in any way but rather will point out the importance of recording the whereabouts of online assets and some of the implications of inheriting online assets.   A few years ago, I wrote the article “Inheriting Assets in the Digital Age &ndas...

Today – Monday 8th January 2018 – has seen #divorceday trending on social media.  According to this article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42598969 the first working Monday of the year is a time when many couples feel disillusioned about their relationship and enquiries rise for solicitors specialising in Family Law.   If you are in a relationship that you are considering ending, or if you have recently separated from your husband or wife, partner, or civil partner and feel you need to obtain legal advice, consider making an appointment with a member of the Fami...

Dawn Pennell, Associate at Capron & Helliwell, considers the ‘common-law marriage’ myth Society changes and according to the Office for National Statistics in November this year cohabiting couples have become the fastest growing family type in the UK with the number of unmarried couples living together more than doubling from 1.5 million in 1996 to 3.3 million in 2017. Family law group Resolution commissioned a ComRes poll of over 2,000 British adults and the results have highlighted the misunderstanding of many cohabiting couples of the law in this area.  It showed t...

There appears to be no mention of Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the Autumn Budget announced on 22 November 2017.   The existing IHT rules in force are rather complex and if you wish to obtain advice in connection with either your IHT position, or the IHT position of a deceased person’s estate you are dealing with, please speak with an expert.   The rules regarding Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are, however, being reformed, including SDLT relief for first time buyers (up to certain amounts) but of course do check with a professional expert to see how the rules affect your circums...