The March 2016 budget introduced higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on purchases of additional residential properties from 1 April 2016. If you are thinking about purchasing a Buy to Let/Investment property and are wondering how this will affect you, we have put together a few questions and answers to help you.

Why is SDLT being increased on Buy-to-Let homes?
With house prices rising, it is become increasingly difficult for first time buyers to get on the property ladder. The Buy-to-Let sector has been a controversial part of the property market for a long time, with people blaming landlords for the rising house prices. As such, George Osborne therefore turned his attention to private landlords in a bid to give first time buyers a chance to get on the property ladder. Read more →

Adam Bruce and Luned Voyle of Ungoed Thomas and King, were delighted recently to be asked to be the guest speakers at the spring meeting of the Carmarthenshire Chamber of Agriculture which was held at the Halliwell Centre, Carmarthen.

During his presentation Adam highlighted the importance of planning for the future of the farm and ran through the issues that need to be considered such as making a Will and ensuring that there is an up to date Partnership Agreement in place.

Luned then discussed the benefits of making a Lasting Power of Attorney. Mental Incapacity can affect anyone as a result of an illness or accident. Jointly held bank accounts, both private and business may be frozen until an Order from the Court of Protection is obtained. By making a Lasting Power of Attorney, authority can be given to trusted individuals to deal with your money and assets if you are unable to manage your affairs so that the day to day running of the farm can continue.

The event chaired by Mr Ogwyn Evans was very well attended by the local farming community.

For further details or advice on these issues, please contact Adam Bruce at adam.bruce@utk.co.uk or Luned Voyle at luned.voyle@utk.co.uk or tel. 01267 237441.

 

For most people, the prospect of making an appearance at any type of Court, is quite frankly, terrifying. This is very true in family law disputes as nobody wants the finer details of their family life, be it child or finance related, subjected to detailed analysis in a courtroom which has a number of legal formalities attached to it.
The outcome of your matter is largely out of your control once it’s brought into the Court arena. You and your legal representative can simply put forward a constructive argument in support of your case. The other side will do the same. The outcome will then be in the hands of either the magistrates or a judge and this will be dependent on what they, objectively, deem to be fair and reasonable or, what they believe to be in your child’s ‘best interests’ when determining children law cases.
As such, the Court process can be an uncertain and expensive forum to resolve your matter. This is why a good family solicitor will assist you in resolving your matter in other ways and will advise you to bring the matter into Court, only as a last resort. Read more →