FAQ
Find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below.
On average, a sale or purchase takes between 8–12 weeks, although this can vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and the length of the property chain.
Disbursements are third-party costs paid on your behalf, such as search fees, Land Registry fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax.
You can instruct a solicitor once your offer has been accepted, but having one lined up early can help avoid delays.
Exchange of contracts is the stage when the transaction becomes legally binding. After exchange, a completion date is fixed.
On completion, funds are transferred, ownership is legally passed to the buyer and the keys are released.
Timescales vary depending on the complexity of the transaction, lease terms and funding arrangements, but typically range from several weeks to a few months.
A lease grants exclusive possession of a property for a set period, whereas a licence generally provides permission to occupy without creating a legal interest in the property.
An Option Agreement gives a party the right, but not the obligation, to purchase property at a future date under agreed terms.
Yes. Rent review provisions can be complex and may significantly affect your financial position.
We can act for either party, but due to professional rules, we cannot usually act for both in the same transaction.
A valid Will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes and can help minimise disputes and delays.
If there is no valid Will, the estate is distributed under the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect personal wishes.
Probate can take several months depending on the size and complexity of the estate and whether Inheritance Tax is payable.
Inheritance Tax may be payable on estates above certain thresholds. We can advise on whether it applies and how it is calculated.
Not always. Whether probate is required depends on the type and value of assets involved.
An LPA is a legal document allowing you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity.
There is a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can be used with your permission once registered, while a Health and Welfare LPA can only be used if you lose capacity.
No. You retain control while you have capacity and can restrict how your attorneys act.
Your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection to manage your affairs, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Planning ahead can help protect assets and ensure your wishes are respected. We can advise on appropriate legal structures based on your individual circumstances.
In some situations, the value of your home may be taken into account when assessing care fees. However, this depends on your circumstances and who continues to live in the property.
A financial assessment determines whether you are responsible for funding your care and how much you may need to contribute.
Deliberately transferring assets to avoid care fees may be challenged by the local authority. Careful, lawful planning is essential.
It is best to seek advice early, before care is needed, so that options can be considered calmly and properly structured.
A trust is a legal arrangement where assets are held by trustees for the benefit of chosen beneficiaries.
Trusts can be used to protect assets, provide for children or vulnerable beneficiaries, and structure inheritance planning.
Trustees can be family members, trusted individuals or professional advisers, depending on the circumstances.
No. Trusts can be appropriate for a wide range of estate planning and family situations.
Yes. Trusts can have tax consequences, including Inheritance Tax and income tax considerations, which we can advise you on.
