No need to panic ahead of the UK Budget: A Message from Four Oaks Legal Services
As Wednesday’s Budget approaches, it’s natural to feel apprehensive, especially when it comes to potential changes in taxation, including Inheritance Tax (IHT). With speculation around possible tax increases and new fiscal policies, Four Oaks Legal Services wants to...
Inheritance Tax shake-up expected in next week’s Budget
Inheritance tax (IHT) in the UK is a tax on the estate of a deceased person when the value of their assets exceeds certain thresholds. It is widely rumoured that the rates of IHT will increase and thresholds will change when Rachel Reeves delivers her first Budget on...
Care costs – could your home be at risk?
Many homeowners worry about having to sell their homes to cover care costs in later life. There are several steps you can take to protect your home, although it is crucial to approach things carefully to avoid pitfalls, such as accusations of "deliberate deprivation...
Is marriage a money saver?
Marriage has never been more unpopular. Couples in the UK are shunning married life in greater numbers than ever. However, married couples gain several financial advantages over unmarried couples, particularly tax benefits related to Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital...
Top 5 places to search when looking for a missing Will
We often take enquiries from relatives struggling to locate a deceased’s last Will. Sometimes, it can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. For example, original Wills can be stored with the solicitor who drafted the Will, but what happens if that law firm no...
Will the October Budget scrap Deeds of Variation?
This very question was asked by a client earlier this week. What is a Deed of Variation? Deeds of Variation are used for several reasons, but crucially to reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) payable on a deceased’s estate. They can be used to address errors in the drafting...
Welcome to Four Oaks Legal Services
We are excited to welcome you to our new look website. We are a small, yet highly dedicated law firm based in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Our mission is to provide you with clear, practical and effective legal advice tailored to meet your needs. We understand that legal...
Why should you make a will?
To specify exactly where your money, property and possessions go Without a Will, the intestacy rules dictate what should happen to your estate in the event of your death. Those rules might not suite your circumstances or reflect your wishes. To look after your family...
Estate administration (why our expertise is important)
Estate administration is the management of a person’s assets when they pass away. This involves collecting in and distributing the deceased assets. It is the job of Executors (appointed under a Will) or Administrators (entitled by law where there is no Will) to deal...
Don’t leave it too late
Yesterday BBC News highlighted the issues some people face when applying for Lasting Powers of Attorney. 1 in 3 people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime. There are currently more people than ever before living with dementia in the UK,...
Protect your creative work in your will
We can guide you through your copyrights and papers after death. In the United Kingdom, any copyrights and the Artist’s Resale Right (“ARR”) last your lifetime plus a further 70 years after death. This makes them a valuable asset that you can protect and pass down...
Update your Will Week 2023
Solicitors For the Elderly (SFE) are hosting an Update Your Will Week from 23rd to 29th January. The purpose of this is to encourage more people to update their Will and ensure their wishes are carried out when they die. Why we think having an up-to-date Will is...