A recent high profile divorce case in the news, Standish v Standish, has resulted in a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court clarifying what should be classified as ‘matrimonial’ and ‘non-matrimonial’ assets. This is something that can be controversial in many divorces, not just those concerning multimillionaires! Background to Standish V Standish This case centred…
A recent BBC Panorama undercover investigation has shone a spotlight on some disturbing dubious sales tactics being used by some estate agents. The investigation focused on the practice of conditional selling and of overvaluing properties to attract clients. Solicitor Demelza Dunstan from Penderlaw’s Property team explains these terms and outlines their implications on your purchase.…
No, you are not obligated to use the solicitor recommended by your mortgage provider says Samantha Bellamy from our Property team. Sam explores some of the matters you should consider when choosing a property solicitor. Freedom to choose While your mortgage provider may recommend a firm, you are free to choose your own solicitor. It’s…
We’re absolutely thrilled that both Tegan Pownall and Alice Vage won awards at this year’s Cornwall Law Society Awards! Cornwall Law Society’s prestigious annual awards ceremony took place on Friday, 13th June at Truro Cathedral. The ceremony is a glamourous black-tie occasion, bringing together lawyers from all over the county and a chance to celebrate…
Important not urgent maybe. You’ll get around to it sometime. Too young perhaps? According to a recent survey*, 67% of adults don’t have a Will, or have a Will which is out of date. If you die without a Will you can leave those you love most with uncertainty, not to mention a huge administrative…
A question our team often get asked is what to do when a relative loses capacity without having made a Will. For a Will to be valid, a person must usually be deemed to ‘have capacity’ at the time of signing it. Solicitor Lucy Wilton, and Litigation Executive Claire Lockwood, explain the options available when…
We’re so excited that Tegan Pownall and Alice Vage have both been shortlisted for awards at this year’s Cornwall Law Society Awards which take place on 13th June 2025 at Truro Cathedral! We’re hoping to build on the success we had last year when we won Small Firm of the Year and the Judges’ Award.…
History of Stamp Duty Stamp duty land tax was introduced in England in 1694 and is one of this country’s oldest taxes. Since then, it has been updated to reflect changing times and sometimes used as a tool to boost the property market at times of economic stress. When is Stamp Duty payable? Stamp Duty…
There seems to be an awareness day or week for everything these days, and perhaps ‘Dying Matters Awareness Week’ does sound a little strange, but it nevertheless bears an important message as Solicitor Alice Vage discusses. Tackling a tricky subject to bring peace of mind Many of us are understandably squeamish about discussing matters around…
A Will should be a true reflection of a person’s wishes. However, situations sometimes arise where there is doubt cast upon the validity of a Will. Disputes concerning Wills are referred to legally as Contested or Contentious Probate. This type of dispute becomes especially complex where a business is involved and can become even more…
