The process of probate requires people to find out what assets, money and property a deceased person has, as well as looking at distributing those items based on the wishes in their will. Often, someone will appoint a legal professional to do this for them. But it is worth asking- can you do probate yourself? It depends The simple answer to “Can you do probate yourself?” is “It depends.” If someone has named an executor in their will, then that person is the one who...
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Commercial planning can often be crucial for businesses. It can mean the ability to create new premises or the ability to extend and upgrade an existing commercial property. A big part of this process is commercial planning, so it is important to be aware of the legal issues around this. Enforcement action It may sound obvious, but it is vital that you secure permission before you begin building work. If you don’t comply, then there is the danger of fines and court action. This can...
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On the basic level, environmental law is the group of laws that govern how we as people interact with the environment around us. This covers the rules, regulations, agreements and laws that are relevant to our environment. It covers a range of issues, such as the use of natural resources, the prevention of pollution and the protection of local plants and animals. In the UK In the UK, the main environmental agencies are the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the...
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Moving house is said to be one of the most stressful things you can be involved in. The process of choosing somewhere you want to buy, can take long enough, but then there is the additional process of purchasing the property. It is important to know the legal issues around buying a house in order to avoid problems as much as possible (or at the very least know how to deal with them). Conveyancing Conveyancing is the legal process that occurs between the purchase of...
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You’ve baked fresh bread, put a pot of coffee on and tidied everything up. However, as well as prepping your home, there are numerous legal aspects that you need to be aware of when selling your house. Can you do it yourself? It is possible to sell a home yourself without the use of a legal representative. This is not recommended as there is a lot of legal issues to deal with. For example, they can check to make sure the person who is buying...
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In theory, inheritance should be simple- you leave a will, and people inherit based on your wishes. But there are various issues that can occur, and it is important to be aware of these, both when writing a will and other issues around inheritance. Everything equal A lot of the time when people write a will they stipulate that their children (or other people who stand to benefit) receive everything equally. This can be relatively simple when it comes to money, but this can become...
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People can often feel intimidated by writing a will. It can make them uncomfortable, as it brings up the topic of death and potential issues. However, there are a lot of things that need to be discussed, and without a will, it can cause a lot of problems. It is worth knowing why it is important to have a will and how it is relatively simple to draw up one that can provide reassurance for you and your loved ones. Inheritance If you die without...
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People become self-employed for a number of different reasons. In some cases, it can be the nature of a job, such as working as a contractor or for a company that employs drivers and delivery people on a self-employed basis. For others, it may be because you have an idea for a new business or want to work for yourself. Whatever the reason, there are various issues to be aware of before you become self-employed. Status If you want to work for yourself, you can...
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Abuse can occur on a number of levels. This can include physical abuse, in terms of visible violence, pain and injury. But it can also include emotional abuse when a person is being mistreated on a way that may not be physically violent but could make them feel they cannot leave their partner. Whatever the reason, it is important to know what to do when reporting abuse. Different forms of abuse When reporting abuse, people tend to think of physical abuse due to the visible...
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Domestic abuse can be emotionally devastating. As well as dealing with someone you trust mistreating you, it can also have complications from a legal standpoint. It is important to know some of the legal implications and practical issues that need to be dealt with. What to be aware of When people think of abuse, they tend to think of it purely in terms of physical violence. While this may be the most visible sign, it is important to know that there are other forms. For...
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