If you have gone to the trouble of drafting a will to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die, then it is important to ensure that the will is legally valid. A simple mistake can undo your wishes, ...
This year (2024) MacDonald Oates is supporting the charity Stop Domestic Abuse. The aim of this charity is clear – To help all those affected by domestic abuse with a vision of a world without domestic abuse. Robert Sawers and ...
Delays in the probate system have hit the headlines of late, with bereaved families having to wait many months to obtain a grant of probate – a stark contrast to the 16 weeks the Government says the application should take. ...
An employee builds up valuable knowledge and contacts during the time that they work for you, but your commercial interests may be vulnerable if they leave and go on to work for a competitor. It is therefore prudent to take steps to ...
Our wills and probate solicitors can provide bespoke advice for your high-net-worth estate and your individual family circumstances.
The Family Procedure (Amendment No 2) Rules 2023 came into force in April 2024, with the primary aim of encouraging early non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) in the vast majority of private family matters. The changes seek to ensure ...
What is a Cohabitation Agreement? Cohabitation agreements have gained significant recognition and importance in the United Kingdom as the dynamics of relationships continue to evolve. In recent years, the number of couples choosing to ...
Calculating holiday allowances can be tricky for any staff which work irregular hours. In an effort to simplify things, this year the government has introduced changes to the rules on holiday rights as part of reforms to some ...
‘Your pets are an important part of your family, but providing for them in your will is not as straightforward as providing for other family members,’ says Georgia Chandler, an Associate Solicitor in the wills and probate team with ...
We are delighted to announce the date of our next Charity Quiz on Thursday 16th May 2024 at the Petersfield Golf Club. We are supporting Stop Domestic Abuse this year and we would love to raise as much funds as possible for this ...
Clear pathways and opportunities for promotion together with increasing pay grades can help to improve employee performance, keep staff motivated and help with retaining talent. A fair and consistent practice should also reduce the ...
Employment law evolves with societal changes and 2024 is a busier year for employment legislation, compared to the last few years. The Government has backed a number of private members’ bills which are now coming into force. In ...
If you are helping a loved one who is ill or vulnerable in their later life, whether formally or informally, there are various bodies that you might encounter with whom you will need to liaise to assist you with your loved one’s ...
Child maintenance is regular financial support paid by one parent to another to assist with a child’s everyday living expenses. It is ordinarily paid to the primary carer of the child (otherwise known as the resident parent) and is ...
With a rise in people investing in cryptocurrency, the existence and potential distribution of these digital assets is becoming an increasingly normal issue for those going through a divorce or dissolution. The first step towards ...
‘Many people who opt to make a home-made will do so because they think they will save money on legal fees. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems and unexpected costs later down the line for the family who may be left to unravel ...
The right to request flexible working has been around for over 20 years, and in that time eligibility to the right has been extended from parents and carers of young children to all employees after 26 weeks in a job. Access to this ...
Whether you are setting up a UK office and want your managers to have a general understanding of UK employment law, or you simply want to empower your existing leaders with an overview of employment law, our workshops are just what you ...
We are delighted to be supporting the charity Stop Domestic Abuse as our charity of the year 2024. Our chosen charity comes from staff nominations and we are pleased to be raising funds for such a worthwhile cause. Watch this space for ...
Carrying out the duties of an executor is both a privilege and a burden. You have been tasked with ensuring that someone’s wishes are carried out after their death, and this can often be more complex and take longer than you ...
Following Brexit, 1st January 2024 signalled the end of the supremacy of EU law in the UK. What does this mean for employers and employment law? The government has attempted to retain and codify key rights and principles, but it is ...
When dealing with the administration of an estate, distributing the gifts is one of the final stages. It is important that executors do not make distributions too soon, to protect themselves and the estate against debts or claims. ...