Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Liam Payne’s reported death without a Will highlights how intestacy rules determine who inherits an estate and who is responsible for administering it. Making a valid Will allows you to choose your beneficiaries, appoint trusted executors and provide clear instructions for your assets.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Property transactions can collapse because of delayed paperwork, legal issues discovered late and poor communication between the parties involved. Preparing documents early, providing information upfront and instructing a conveyancer promptly can help reduce delays and minimise the risk of a sale falling through.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Contested Wills are becoming more common as changing family structures, concerns about mental capacity and higher-value estates increase the potential for disputes. A professionally prepared and regularly reviewed Will can help clarify your wishes and reduce the risk of future conflict.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The Spring Statement 2025 presented a cautious economic outlook for the commercial property sector. Slower growth and international trade pressures created uncertainty, while lower borrowing costs, infrastructure investment and planning reform offered potential opportunities for owners, investors and developers.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Commonhold offers an alternative to leasehold by allowing flat owners to own their homes outright while sharing responsibility for managing communal areas. Although it could provide greater control and transparency, legal, financial and practical barriers have limited its adoption.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Government action, additional staffing and increased use of digital applications significantly reduced probate waiting times during 2024. Faster processing offers welcome relief to families, beneficiaries and charities, although accurate applications remain important for avoiding preventable delays.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The UK farmland market reached its highest level of activity since 2018 during 2024, driven by farming-sector restructuring, retirements and economic pressures. Although supply was expected to cool, regional variation, tax uncertainty and changing land-use priorities continued to influence decisions.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The residential conveyancing market began recovering in 2024 following two years of contraction, supported by an increase in property transactions and renewed consumer confidence. However, declining practitioner numbers and the growth of volume-based providers continue to reshape the sector.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Inheritance Tax receipts are rising as frozen thresholds and increasing property values bring more estates within the tax net. Proposed changes affecting pensions and agricultural and business property relief further highlight the importance of reviewing Wills and estate-planning arrangements regularly.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Confidence in the UK housing market has weakened as rising mortgage payments, rents and household expenses place greater pressure on buyers and homeowners. Affordability concerns may affect when people move, how much they can borrow and the type of property they choose.