Blog

What happens if an Executor‑Beneficiary Acts Improperly?

Senior couple using laptop

It is entirely lawful for an Executor to also be a beneficiary under a Will, and in most Estates this arrangement works without difficulty. However, where an Executor who stands to benefit from an Estate fails to act fairly or transparently, the situation can quickly become distressing and contentious for other beneficiaries. In this article,…

Do I really need a solicitor for Probate?

As with DIY Wills, some people see solicitors’ fees for Probate as unnecessary expenditure. However, there are some real benefits in instructing a solicitor. Adopting the DIY approach to save money can turn out to be rather short-sighted. Lucy Wilton from Penderlaw’s Wills, Trusts and Probate team outlines the key benefits of instructing a solicitor…

Ensuring Your Redundancy Is Fair and the Importance of Third‑Party Advice

redundant employee carrying a box of posessions from the office.

Across the UK, redundancies have been steadily rising, leaving many employees feeling unsure about what comes next. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics confirms the trend, reflecting a broader downturn in workforce stability as employers respond to increasing financial pressures and uncertainty. Solicitor Tegan Pownall explains the imporance of third party advice…

New Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – What landlords need to know

The balance between the rights of tenants and the rights of landlords has been a focus of both the current Labour government and the former Conservative government. Solicitor Rachel Macwilliam discusses the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act and what the changes mean for you as a landlord. Renters’ Reform v Renters’ Rights Bill Before their loss…

The potential dangers of no win, no fee firms

Man with mouth nose mask and blue shirt in front of wall with mold

No Win No Fee… No thanks? The system which has become known as No Win, No Fee was originally introduced in 1990 with the best of intentions – to improve access to justice for people who could not afford legal fees and to reduce reliance on taxpayer-funded Legal Aid.  However, in recent years it has…

Unexpected E-mail from Penderlaw Solicitors?

If you have recently received a request for a Zoom call from ‘Buyers Solicitor’, this is not a genuine communication from us. We are advised that this is a Zoom issue rather than an issue with our systems but wanted to make you aware. Please delete these emails rather than forwarding them to us and…

Common issues with child arrangements (and what to do about them)

Child arrangements are the decisions made (sometimes by a court, sometimes more informally) about where children live and how much time they spend with each parent following a separation or divorce.  Family law solicitor Tegan Pownall discusses the most common problems which can arise around child arrangements and what to do about them. Feeling let…

Why your farm’s succession planning can’t wait

The controversial changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) announced in last year’s autumn budget are getting closer, and are due to be implemented next April.  They include the proposed APR alterations, widely labelled as a ‘Family Farm Tax’, making succession planning for farmers more important than ever before. Solicitor Lucy…