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contribute a monthly article to the Biggleswade Chronicle. Click on the links below to read the articles published over the past 12 months. To view the previous 12 months archived articles click here.
- October 2007 - LPA Means Lasting Power For Your Future
'The new Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) which was introduced on 1st October, not only replaces the old Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), but has also replaced the concept of a ‘Living Will’.....'
- September 2007 - Property Market Hits the Headlines - Again
'After the headlines in last week’s national press, I doubt if there is anyone in the country who has not heard of Northern Rock. We will have to wait and see if they are taken over by another bank, but if you are one of their customers, how does it really affect you?....'
- September 2007 - Lasting Powers of Attorney
'From 1st October this year, the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) will disappear and be replaced by a new 'Lasting Powers of Attorney' (LPA). All existing EPAs and those completed and signed before 1st October will remain valid, but after that the LPA will become the only option available.....'
- August 2007 - Cohabitation and the Financial Consequences of Breakdown
'Cohabiting couples should have similar legal rights to those who are married, according to the Law Commission, which has just published a report on this issue following a consultation.....'
- July 2007 - Get HIP for August
'Home Information Packs have been contentious since they were first proposed several years ago. The Home Condition Report, a key factor in the HIP, was dropped as a compulsory part of the package earlier this year, and there was a strong feeling in the industry and the media that the new Prime Minister may try to quietly drop the whole concept of HIPs.....'
- June 2007 - Changes in Employment Legislation Will Affect Us All
'In the United Kingdom, the year 2007 will be remembered for the more proposed swingeing employment legislative changes, which will have a major impact on both businesses and individuals alike.....'
- May 2007 - Even More Changes to HIPS
'Ruth Kelly announced this week that the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) will now be delayed until August 1st. She also announced that initially HIPs will only be compulsory for properties with 4 or more bedrooms. During the last few months, there have been many changes to the proposed HIPs, so to avoid any confusion, let’s look at the facts.....'
- April 2007 - Home Information Packs
'If you are planning to move home in the near future, there will be a radical change to the conveyancing process as Home Information Packs (HIPs) will become a legal requirement from 1st June this year. These packs have been the subject of much debate in the media recently and some estate agents are already promoting HIPs in their advertising. Once they are introduced it means that when deciding to buy a new home, you will have much more information to hand on which to base your decision, even before you go to view it.....'
- March 2007 - How Valuable is your Pension?
'When assets need to be valued, following a relationship breakdown for example, effects like property, cars and savings immediately come to mind, yet most people have a major asset, their pension, which is often overlooked or undervalued.....'
- February 2007 - Will You Look After Your Loved Ones?
'One of the reasons that we keep talking about making a Will is that if you don’t set out your wishes in a Will, the law decides who gets your worldly possessions, and it may not be as you want. It can also take much longer to sort out your affairs and may mean paying unnecessary Inheritance Tax (IHT) - all extra stress for your dependants.....'
- January 2007 - Its Not Easy Being a First Time Buyer
'Despite recent increases in interest rates, house prices in the Bedfordshire area continue to rise which makes it more difficult for those wanting to get their foot on the first rung of the property ladder. Many young people have solved this problem by teaming up and buying a property jointly. This splits the cost, but care is needed, as there are two ways that multiple buyers can own property and they have different long-term implications.....'
- December 2006 - Civil Partnerships - 12 Months On
'It was just twelve months ago that a new law entered our Statute books which recognised relationships between two people of the same sex. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 has resulted in many high profile ‘marriages’ with the ultimate accolade of it being written into the storyline of the long-running radio programme ‘The Archers’. Fans will know that Adam and Ian’s ceremony has taken place with Adam’s stepfather attending at the last minute.....'
- November 2006 - Moving at Christmas Might be Interesting
'With the festive season looming fast, many people who are looking to move house will be trying to complete before Santa makes an appearance. All well and good if you complete in early December, but if the completion date is too close to the actual day, apart from the risk of having to unwrap presents and eat turkey while sitting on boxes of your unpacked chattels, if it doesn’t quite go to plan it could also be an expensive move!...'
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