Time for a Spring Clean? Spring always goes hand in hand with the end of the Tax Year, so what better time to dust off any legal or financial cobwebs?
With recent tax changes there has probably never been a better time to think strategically and consider Inheritance Tax planning. There is much that can be done, such as utilising your annual gifts allowance, and some careful planning backed by specialist advice could make a significant difference in the future. There is ample useful information on our website this month to get you started, and our news item on the IHT Nil Rate Band below is also well worth a read.
Now is also a good time to think about whether your will still meets your wishes; has anything changed since you last updated it? Some changes can render a will invalid, so it is worth checking with us to see if it needs a review. Contact one of our experts for more information. If you run a business, then now is a good time to review your business documents. Last month saw the final seminar in a series presented by Neves in conjunction with Keens Shay Keens Accountants in Luton. The final seminar focussed on issues such as the consequences of not having a Partnership Agreement or Shareholder Agreement in place for your business. Did you know that if you run your business as a partnership and you do not have a formal written agreement, then you will be governed by law that is 120 years old. If you do not have a Shareholder or Partnership Agreement in place and your business partner dies then you could be forced to run your business with your partner's widow, children or worse!! Our website contains lots of useful information or call us and speak to one of our business experts. Negotiating Lease Terms to Ease the Rental Burden Over the last year we have discussed in various seminars different ways in which businesses can try to beat the recession. One way that a business which rents its premises can increase its cash flow is to negotiate with their Landlord for monthly rental payments, as opposed to the traditional quarterly payments that are routinely seen in business leases. This would prevent a business from having to find 3 months rent in advance and allowing them to manage a little more easily from month to month. The British Retail Consortium seems to have reported some recent success in this area, as detailed in our article featured this month. Do you know how your credit rating works? If not then you are certainly not alone. There are many myths that we still hear mentioned by clients, but our article featured this month attempts to dispel some of those most commonly heard.  Property Ladder: Stepping On
Despite the fact that interest rates have stayed on a level of late; it is still proving to be a rough ride for first time buyers. Tougher mortgage rules based on proving affordability mean it is becoming harder to take the first step onto the property ladder and increasingly, younger people are looking to the bank of mum and dad for help. On our website this month we have a guide to the pros and cons of the usual methods, from lending, gifting and co-purchase to acting as guarantor and other considerations. If you are thinking about helping your children, or grandchildren, onto the property ladder, it is wise to take advice on the best way to do so before you go ahead. 'Doorstep Selling' Regulations: How you are Protected  In previous newsletters, we talked about your rights when buying from retail outlets. In this issue, one of our stories covers your rights under the Doorstep Selling Regulations; very important if you buy services from anyone calling upon you at home or at work, or selling services at a third party location, such as a time share exhibition. The ‘Doorstep Selling’ regulations came into effect on 1 October 2008 and bring new rights to consumers who make contracts with traders in places that are not the usual business premises of the trader. They were introduced to provide consumers with extra protection against assertive or forceful salespeople who make it difficult for consumers to say ‘no'. Read more about the Regulations and the protection they afford on our website, and if you need further advice, contact us.
 IHT Nil Rate Band - Don't Discard the Old Will
It might easily be thought that once an estate has gone to Probate and the assets have passed to the surviving spouse or civil partner, then that is the end of the matter and the paperwork (including the will) can be consigned to the shredder after a suitable period of time; but that is not the case. Retaining records after a person has died is essential in order to be able to demonstrate the amount of Inheritance Tax (IHT) ‘nil rate band’ that is available on the death of a surviving spouse or civil partner. It is well worth while reading the full story on our website so as to best plan ahead and deal with IHT. And of course, contact us for advice should you be in this situation. Family Law Cases Overturned  Sometimes judges have an overwhelming desire to protect children, which leads them to go beyond the matter at hand and perhaps not give a fair hearing. In one case documented on our website this month, a father, who suffers from bi-polar disorder, appealed against a judge’s refusal to grant an adjournment of contact proceedings after he was unable to attend due to being medically unfit. Read about how the father appealed and how the Court of Appeal ruled the judge wrong to consider anything more than the facts before him. For advice on family and children issues, contact us in confidence
Neves News As part of our continued expansion we are pleased to anounce the arrival of Employment Specialist Elizabeth McGlone who joined us on 26th April. Elizabeth will be based initially in our Luton office for 3 months before taking up her permanent position in our Milton Keynes Office. All at Neves offer Elizabeth a very warm welcome. | 
