In the newest edition of our legal FAQ series, we help someone who’s worried that their Uncle is at risk of a potential lawsuit.

Q: My uncle’s house has a very large garden with many huge trees in it, some of which are old and look dead.

Four of the trees overhang the road and could easily fall into it and injure someone. I have warned my uncle of the possible dangers but he has done nothing at all.

What is the UK law on overhanging trees? Can you give me some advice to pass on to him in the hope that he will take heed? More...

In our FAQ series, our solicitors advise a sibling who could be forced to get involved in a messy divorce case.

Q:

My sister and I were given our family’s holiday villa in France after our parents divorced around 20 years ago. It was intended to be used by our friends and family.

Now, my sister is in the process of getting divorced and it’s proving highly acrimonious. Because I inherited the house with my sibling, she tells me that the property is at risk of getting sold as a result and that I need to seek legal advice of my own. Of course, I don’t want to lose my parents’ villa but I’m also extremely wary of getting involved in her divorce or spending any money.

Can you buy out siblings from an inherited house? What should my next step be? More...

Whether you’ve inherited a property automatically as part of a joint tenancy, or have had it passed down to you by a deceased relative in a Will, you’ll know that taking control of someone else’s home can be a testing time.

A property will often be the highest value asset in an estate, and it is relatively common for people to receive a property that still has a mortgage payable on it. This can often happen when older homeowners re-mortgage their home in later years in order to supplement their pension and pay for living costs. 

Here’s what you need to know if you’ve inherited a house with a mortgage:

It’s your responsibility

During probate, if you’re named in the Will as the inheritor of a property you, unless specifically stated, will take on responsibility for the asset. More...

If you’re investing in a buy-to-let property with someone else, you have two ways to purchase the property: as tenants in common or as joint tenants.

What’s the difference between a joint tenancy and being tenants in common? Let’s take a look:

What is a joint tenancy?

A beneficial joint tenancy occurs when between two and four people buy a property and own it jointly. However, the parties don’t own specific shares in the investment and can’t give away their right to the property in a Will.  More...

We’re delighted to announce that our award winning conveyancing teams have been shortlisted for three more national awards!

Following on from the success of being named as one of the top three large conveyancing companies in the UK in the Estate Agency of the Year 2013 Awards, we’ve received confirmation that we have been shortlisted for three more:

•    CQS Award for Excellence in Conveyancing Practice category in the Law Society Excellence Awards,

•    Best Regional Conveyancer (Wales and the West Midlands region) category in the Law Firm Service Awards 2014

•    Best UK Direct Conveyancer category in the Law Firm Service Awards 2014 More...