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Wetherby 01937 583210
Malton 01653 692247
News

21 August 2020 COVID-19

Since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, we have been contacted by many people wanting to ensure they have Wills in place or to update existing Wills. This has no doubt been prompted partly by the natural fear of serious illness in the current climate, but also many people have found they have had the time to think about what they would like to happen in the event of their death. For many people making a Will in normal circumstances is a task that is easily put off. In the past few weeks, we have seen a significant increase in people seeking our advice on Wills.  We would like to assure you that our offices are open for business and we can meet people in a COVID safe environment. However, for some older or vulnerable people…
12 August 2020 Wills and estates

“Keep Safe” is a phrase we have heard frequently in the past few months – whilst we all need to take heed – don’t forget the importance of keeping your farm or property safe too. It is not unusual to have more than one generation of a family working on a farm and if the owner has not left clear instructions about who is to inherit the estate there is huge potential for dispute.   ‘With the increase in land prices over the years, farm assets may be worth literally millions of pounds and the consequences of a family member dying intestate without a Will can be disastrous’ says Laura Carter, Wills & Probate Solicitor. Making a Will is particularly important in farming families where some members want to farm and others do not or cannot…
10 August 2020 Family Matters

If you are considering divorce and have ties to more than one country, then where you issue your proceedings can impact the outcome.  These types of divorce are commonly known as cross-border, and typically we think of countries outside the United Kingdom. But a recent judgment in the Supreme Court has highlighted that even the borders within our shores can affect the outcome in the agreement of maintenance after divorce. ‘Local differences in divorce law mean that there may be benefits to issuing divorce and maintenance proceedings in one area of the UK over another, as highlighted in the case of Villiers v Villiers [2020]’ says Robert Bellhouse, a Family Solicitor in the family team with Ware & Kay Solicitors. ‘This case showed that, provided certain thresholds are met, the courts will permit choice in which…
07 August 2020 Employment advice

Following changes in government guidance, more and more employers are asking staff to come back to the workplace. But what are your obligations as an employer if staff are reluctant or unwilling to return? How should you treat employees who are shielding, pregnant or struggling with childcare? The HSE’s guidance on Working safely during the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and the Government’s sector-specific guides on working safely during coronavirus (Covid-19) are crucial sources of information.  ‘However, the Government guidance does not provide the full picture for employers who must consider the whole gamut of their duties under employment law.’ Says Gillian Reid, Head of Employment with Ware & Kay in York & Wetherby, who outlines the raft of legal responsibilities, as well as highlighting key steps to reduce the risks of claims and considerations for particular groups…
06 August 2020 Residential property

As lockdown restrictions ease and people want to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, we are seeing more activity in the housing market. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty, particularly over mortgage availability. On the one hand, interest rates are at an all-time low. On the other, lenders have reduced the number and range of mortgages they offer. If you are thinking about moving home or remortgaging, you may be wondering how this could affect you. Here Holly Stevens, Head of Residential Property with Ware & Kay in York, cuts through the confusion and answers some of your questions. As a first-time buyer, will I still be able to get a mortgage? Since the pandemic, lenders have generally become more cautious and risk-averse. Most have now withdrawn their low deposit mortgage deals from…
30 July 2020 Firm updates

Our York & Wetherby offices are open for business and here to help.  Please contact us by phone or email and we will happily arrange an appointment on the telephone or at our offices if necessary to discuss your matter. 
22 July 2020 Commercial property

A commercial property portfolio is just like any other investment - to get the best out of it, you need to manage it well, and sometimes it will benefit from being restructured. The unforeseen impact of Covid-19 on the whole of the UK economy has underlined the importance of keeping on top of your property investments, so you are able to move quickly when you want to grab an opportunity or mitigate risk. A good commercial property lawyer will get to know your property portfolio as well as you do.  The more closely we are involved, the more we can do to help you plan your strategy and head off problems before they arise. Careful planning and regular reviews of your property investments will give you the best chance both to prosper in good times and…
20 July 2020 Employment advice

Although lockdown is easing, government guidance advises people to continue to work from home if possible.  Meanwhile, the media is reporting that some employers are deciding to keep staff working from home. Homeworking has advantages; it eases the immediate difficulties of making workplaces COVID-secure and, longer-term, it can significantly reduce the overheads for a business. Employers bringing staff back to the workplace may wish to take stock of recent homeworking arrangements in preparation for any second spike in coronavirus or a localised lockdown. Gillian Reid explains how to get homeworking arrangements in order and looks at particular challenges for managers of remote teams, as well as how to deal with an employee who has had enough of homeworking. Employers ending homeworking arrangements may face a wave of flexible working requests. You should check the Government website…
16 July 2020 Family Matters

The coronavirus pandemic has turned most of our world upside down, causing economic hardship for many people and job losses are expected to continue as the furlough scheme comes to an end. ‘If you have lost all or part of your income, your ability to pay or rely upon maintenance payments will be a cause for concern as you seek to manage cash flow,’ says Robert Bellhouse. ‘Uncertainty over child maintenance adds another level of stress for parents who are struggling to cope with home-schooling.’ Maintenance payments typically fall into two categories, spousal maintenance and child maintenance, which we look in turn and outline your options if you are worried about paying or receiving maintenance. Spousal maintenance Spousal maintenance may be paid because of a voluntary agreement during divorce proceedings or by way of a court…
14 July 2020 Commercial property

Since the Town and Country Planning General Permitted Development Order came into force on 6 April 2018, rural communities have had greater development potential when converting agricultural buildings into residential units. In these deeply troubled times, the greater flexibility afforded by these relaxed permitted development rights is good news for the rural community, allowing agricultural businesses to unlock additional value and utility from their land. Farmers should be warned, however, that numerous conditions and prior local planning authority approvals are still required under the new rules, so it is a good idea to consult a professional expert to advise on available options before renovations begin. This blog explains how the enhanced permitted development rights give agricultural businesses more flexibility to adapt existing buildings to create new housing and increase the size of their agricultural buildings without…
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