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Finance Bill Proposals and Bereaved Families: What You Need to Know

28 February 2026

Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
When legislation changes, particularly around inheritance tax and estates, it can directly affect grieving families. Recent warnings from the Law Society about the proposed Finance Bill highlight potential financial risks for the bereaved — and why careful estate planning has never been more important.

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Nationwide Accepts E-Signatures: What This Means for Property Buyers and Sellers in 2026

26 February 2026

Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
With digital processes evolving rapidly, staying informed can make a real difference to how quickly and smoothly your purchase or remortgage completes.
A major shift has just taken place.
Nationwide Building Society has become the first UK lender to accept Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) on mortgage deeds — removing the need for traditional wet-ink signatures and witnessed paperwork.

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An Optimistic Start to the Year: Signs the Housing Market Is Finding Its Feet

27 January 2026

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
At Ives & Co Solicitors, we support buyers and sellers through every stage of the residential conveyancing process. As the market moves into the new year, many clients are asking whether confidence is finally returning — and recent industry data suggests the outlook is becoming more positive.

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Leasehold Reform: Which Changes Will Actually Unlock the Property Market?

23 January 2026

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
At Ives & Co Solicitors, we regularly advise buyers and sellers navigating leasehold properties across the residential market. With leasehold reform back in the spotlight, many homeowners are asking the same question: which of these changes will genuinely make it easier to sell, buy, or refinance a leasehold property?

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Doubts grow as planning reforms fail to spur new starts

21 January 2026

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
As 2026 begins, confidence around planning reform is being closely tested — particularly in the commercial property sector. While policy changes were intended to unlock development and stimulate growth, new commercial starts remain slower than expected. At Ives & Co, our commercial conveyancing team is seeing how planning uncertainty continues to affect investment decisions, transaction structures, and development timelines.

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2026 Will-Making Trends: What Families Should Prepare For This Year

20 January 2026

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
As families look ahead to a new year, many take the opportunity to put important legal affairs in order. At Ives & Co, our wills and probate specialists see January as a key moment when people pause, reflect, and plan for the future. In 2026, will-making is being shaped by changing family structures, evolving assets, and greater awareness of long-term planning — making this the ideal time to review what really matters.

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Autumn Budget 2025: Key Inheritance Tax Changes

19 December 2025

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Planning ahead becomes even more important when tax rules shift — and at Ives & Co Solicitors, our will & probate specialists help families protect their estates with clear, tailored advice. The Autumn Budget 2025 has brought inheritance tax (IHT) back into focus, with updates that could affect thousands of households from next year.

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UK Planning Shake-Up: A Bill That Could Rewrite Development

15 December 2025

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
At Ives & Co, we closely monitor legislation which affects property, development and infrastructure — and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill is one of the most significant in a generation. With the UK Government aiming to unlock a major building boom and accelerate the delivery of housing, energy, water, and transport infrastructure, the Bill seeks to overhaul decades-old planning laws.

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Budget 2025 — Key Points of Interest for Commercial Conveyancing

11 December 2025

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Commercial property owners, landlords, and investors are already recalculating their next moves after last week’s Autumn Budget — and the changes are particularly relevant for anyone buying, selling, or leasing business premises.

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Later-Life Mortgages: What Families Should Know

9 December 2025

Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Renting laws in England are about to change dramatically. With the Renters’ Rights Act now confirmed, both landlords and tenants are preparing for one of the most significant updates to the rental system in decades.

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