Finding your way through Divorce or Separation

The end of a relationship is always stressful, and it can be hard to work out how best to find the right advice and support. 

Recent cuts to Legal Aid mean that very few people are not entitled to legal aid to cover the cost of legal advice on separation. However, this doesn’t meant that you cannot find affordable help.

Marjorie Taylor, of our family department,  explains “At FDC Law , we offer an initial free consultation  where we can provide you with basic information, and help you to decide the best way forward for you. We then offer a range of services, including our ‘Stepping Stones’ Pay As You Go option for divorce, which allows you to have as much, or as little, advice as you want, and to control your spending.”

There are many options available other than consulting a solicitor, but do take some time to check your options. Fixed fee and online options often appear cheaper than seeing a solicitor, at first glance, but it’s important to make sure that you are comparing like with like – many fixed fee offerings don’t include details of court fees or VAT in the prices quoted, or relate only to the divorce itself, not to any issues around children or finances.

At QualitySolicitors FDC Law we are happy to discuss with you what will best meet your needs, and to make sure you are kept informed of the costs throughout your case, so you don’t find yourself facing unexpected bills.

 We are happy to provide you with support to deal with straightforward cases yourself, and will refer you to other services such as mediation when this is appropriate. We will also tell you if you are likely to be eligible for any help under the Legal Aid system. As a full service firm, QualitySolicitors FDC Law can also help you in dealing with other issues which may arise as a result of a divorce or separation, such as the need to make or update your will, or to sell your home or buy a new property.

Bear in mind that spending a little money to get proper, independent advice at the outset can ensure that you avoid making expensive mistakes.  Did you know, for instance, that there is no such thing as a ‘Quickie Divorce’? That you should not pay to be given divorce papers to be filled in, as these are available free of charge from the Court? or that many cheap or online divorce ‘ providers’ are unregulated, giving you little chance of redress if anything goes wrong?

If you are facing a separation, or need advice about financial issues, or issues relating to children  arising from a separation, contact Marjorie Taylor or Marion Fisher on 01671 417575 (Midsomer Norton or Keynsham) or 01373 469140 (Frome) for an initial free consultation, and for expert, friendly advice

New Law Society forms will smooth path for property deals

New property forms have been produced by the Law Society of England and Wales which should make property transactions easier for sellers and buyers alike.

Following an extensive consultation with the legal profession, the Property Information Form and Fitting and Contents Form have been updated to more accurately reflect the information needed by buyers and include some new questions which are often asked during the process of buying a house.

FDC Law Partner Jonathan Wood said “At present, we often have to write to a sellers solicitor several times with further questions about the property. Hopefully, more of those questions will now be answered up-front, helping to make the process quicker and easier for both seller and buyer”

The new forms reflect feedback from lawyers and mortgage lenders

The new forms have been designed to improve the conveyancing process by obtaining more accurate and reliable information earlier in the transaction, smoothing the process for all parties involved in the process.

The Property Information Form has also been updated to take account of various changes including flooding, Japanese knotweed and the recently announced “Green Deal”.

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said the forms were another example of the Law Society listening to the views of both consumers and the industry to develop a more beneficial and practical solution.

'Conveyancing is a complex process and anything we can do to ease the burden on solicitors and ultimately consumers is a great result. It was especially important that the final product was fit for purpose and accepted by solicitors and clients alike, so having input from our members early on was very valuable.'

If you are buying or selling a property, contact our Property Team on 01761 417575 (Midsomer Norton) 0117 916 1088 (Keynsham) or 01373 463311 (Frome) 

More Families Need Advice About Inheritance Tax Planning

Financial Consultants in the United Kingdom report that more families than ever are taking advice on cutting their inheritance tax bills as increasing numbers of families are falling in to the Inheritance Tax net.

Despite  the Government announcing, earlier this year that the thresholds of £325,000 for individuals or £650,000 for married couples would be frozen until 2018, 73% of all clients are still not focusing on inheritance tax planning. FDC Law’s Darrell Collins explains “Many people don’t realise that Inheritance Tax may have to be paid when they die, or that they can take steps to reduce the amounts paid, by taking suitable advice when they make their will”

For advice about tax planning and inheritance please contact the Private Client Team at Frome on 01373 469130  or Midsomer Norton on 01761 417575

TaxMan Targets Second Homes

HMRC has announced that it is targeting capital gains tax on the sale of second homes. 

They have asked anyone who has not yet disclosed a capital gains tax liability to come forward and disclose that liability before the 9^th August 2013.  They will then allow a further four weeks to pay the tax owing.  After that, the taxman will search stamp duty records to find people who have sold property either inside or outside the UK without paying capital gains tax. 

It is thought they will search back many years and any penalty charge will amount to 100% of the unpaid tax or even 200% if the property is overseas.

James Hollis explains “Capital Gains Tax is paid on any increase in value between when you buy, and sell, your property.  There are allowances and you may be able to off-set the value of improvements to the property against the increase in value. We can help you to work out whether you owe any tax, and what to do to reduce the risk of paying penalties on top”

If you have sold a second home or investment property and think this may affect you,  please contact James Hollis in our Frome office (01373 463311) or Darrell Collins at our Midsomer Norton and Keynsham offices. (01761 417575) who will be happy to advise you.