Back to Basics: Lifetime gifts
Lifetime gifts are made for a number of reasons, two of the most common being generosity and a wish to save inheritance tax. Lesley King looks at the matters to consider in order for the gift to be valid.
Forum for debate
In May 2016, the Law Society and Private Client Section hosted a roundtable discussion on the Mental Capacity Act 2005, to support the recently formed National Mental Capacity Forum. Gary Rycroft reports back on the day’s talking points
Happy anniversary
In 2006, significant changes were made to the way that most trusts are treated for inheritance tax purposes. Ten years on, many trusts will now have to consider reporting obligations and potential inheritance tax liabilities for the first time, explains Russell Haworth
Trouble comes in threes
Three major recent changes are set to significantly affect the profitability of buy-to-let property, affecting private client landlords and property investors. Graham Poles outlines the changes and their potential impact
Year of decision
Anna Bicarregui and Alex Ruck Keene review the most important cases of the past year relating to the assessment of mental capacity, and to the consequences of being found to lack capacity both inside the Court of Protection and at common law
Escape route
Following recent changes to the current system of tax relief for buy-to-let investors, landlords now face a punishing tax regime if they stay in the market. Julie Butler suggests a way out: changing the status of the property to a furnished holiday letting
Drawing interest
In the first of a series of articles focusing on common errors in private client work, Robert Marshall looks at how to avoid the pitfalls involved in drafting life interest trusts in wills
A run for your money?
Grania Langdon-Down explores competition in the probate market
Cross purposes
Winning new work from existing clients will improve return on investment in marketing, client retention, revenues and profit, but many initiatives fail to make progress. Sue Bramall introduces a strategic approach to cross-selling private client services
Close to home
The financial abuse of the elderly is on the rise, and the perpetrator is frequently a family member. Richard Roberts details the warning signs practitioners should look out for, and the steps they can take where such abuse is exposed