Last month, government guidelines were announced to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the UK. As of the 23 March, the public has been told to stay at home apart from necessary food shopping, one form of exercise a day, and work for those listed as ‘key workers’. Part of the restrictions also included not meeting family members who do not share your home.
As China begins to get a glimpse of life on the other side of coronavirus, it seems that not everyone has been feeling the love during quarantine. It emerged that divorce rates in the country have soared, as couples were forced into spending time together in mandatory lockdown.
According to the Law Society, the number of people looking to write new Wills in the UK has risen by at least 30 per cent following the outbreak of coronavirus. Nevertheless, the process of creating and amending Wills relies heavily on face-to-face interaction, which makes the government measures to stay at home and self-isolate more challenging.
In light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you will likely have numerous questions about how this could impact your estate planning. Now, more than ever, it is vital to check that all of your documents, especially your Will, are up to date and reflect your current life circumstances.
Firstly, a message of thanks to our clients and colleagues for your patience and support with the challenges and uncertainty presented by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Please note that as a result of the Corona Pandemic we have made the difficult decision to close our offices to members of the public.
The latest House Price Index report revealed the average property price in Scotland was £145,762 in February 2019. This was a 3.1 per cent decrease on the previous month and a fall of 0.2 per cent on February of last year (£145,982); the first annual drop in average property price in Scotland since March 2016.
As Easter approaches we would like to take this opportunity to inform valued clients and potential new customers that Complete Clarity will be closed on Friday 19th April and Monday 22nd April.
According to recent research from Direct Life Line Insurance, 60 per cent of divorced Brits who are now in a new relationship, have failed to update any of their personal finances since their previous marriage. This includes the beneficiaries of their pension, death in service benefits, health and life insurance, money in trust, or their will.
Glasgow City Council has issued a compulsory purchase order (CPO) for seven apartments in Westmoreland Street, Govanhill. This move will mark the first time landlords will be forced to sell because they have failed to keep the property in an acceptable condition, and will be the first time a whole block with residents will be taken over under compulsory purchase in Glasgow.
Scotland’s cohabitation laws are in urgent need of reform as they do not support those going through the grieving process of a cohabitant’s death, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Rental properties in Glasgow recorded a notable rise of 3.9 per cent in Q4 2018, up 33.6 per cent in a decade and bringing the year on year figure to £771, according to the Citylets Quarterly Report. The average property in Glasgow took 25 days to let, with 22 per cent being let within a week.
The Scottish Government launched a public consultation on the 17th February 2019, asking how the law covering succession could better reflect 21st century Scotland.
The two largest cities in Scotland have both seen an average house price growth of at least 9% this year – more than double than UK average – according to recent data from HouseSimple.
As the holiday approaches we would like to take this opportunity to inform valued clients and potential new customers of our Christmas opening hours - we will be closed from 24th December and will reopen on 3rd of January 2019.
Following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by Direct Line Insurance, Guildford in Surrey was dubbed the Inheritance Tax capital of the UK after it was revealed that as many as 658 families from the town southwest of London were subject to the tax between 2015 and 2016. On average, each family are said to have paid £231,000 per estate (a total of just under £152 million), more than anywhere else in the country.
Charity Shelter Scotland has announced the launch of a new online toolkit for tenants, designed to help them navigate through the rental system.
Recent research from the Aberdein Considine’s Property Monitor report illustrates that the average price for Scottish properties sold for a record £169,450 during the second quarter of this year (April-June 2018), a 4.7% increase during the same time last year and a grand total of £175 higher than the previous record set in the third quarter of 2017.
Last month, the Public Petitions Committee in the Scottish Parliament received evidence from a campaign group seeking to extend adoption rights to people over the age of 18.
The Scottish government have announced a new loan available for people who want to build their own homes.
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