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18 - 24 May 2026 is Dementia Action Week to raise awareness for the disease. Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia*. Many people worry about whether they will be able to make decisions for themselves if they are diagnosed. However, just because...
Attitudes to marriage and civil partnership have shifted over recent years. Marriage rates decline, while more couples are choosing to live together without marrying or entering into a civil partnership. Some families are blended with children from previous...
Talking about dying isn’t easy. That’s why we are supporting Dying Matters Awareness Week to encourage everyone to get talking in a way which works for them. Dying Matters is a campaign run by the charity, Hospice UK. The theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2026 is...
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial steps most people take. Clients place enormous trust in their conveyancing solicitor to guide them and make sure the process runs smoothly. While most transactions complete without issue, mistakes do happen, and...
Have you made a will? Recent research shows that less than half of UK adults over 30 have a will in place. Indeed, many of those who do have a will may need to update it. 2 to 8 March 2025 is Update Your Will Week, so let’s look at why this is important. | Do you have...
UPDATED: 31 March 2026 You will have no doubt read that the Renters’ Right Act became law on 27 October 2025 and that the first key implementation date is 1 May 2026. So, what do landlords need to do now to prepare for next May? 1. Update your tenancy agreements for...
One of the most common reasons a will is challenged is when there are doubts about whether the testator (the person making the will) had the mental capacity to make it, or whether they fully understood and approved the document. These issues are often at the heart of...
When someone passes away, the executor of their will is responsible for managing the estate and ensuring the deceased’s wishes are carried out. In most cases, this process runs smoothly. However, problems can arise if a beneficiary believes the executor is not acting...
Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. A well-prepared will provides clarity, avoids uncertainty, and can help prevent disagreements about how your estate should...
Probate disputes can arise for many reasons, but one of the most difficult situations for families is when an executor or administrator misuses a deceased person’s money after their death. Executors are trusted to manage the estate honestly, with transparency and in...
As a property owner, there will be times when you want to carry out alterations to your property. You may be free to do more minor works as you see fit. However, for more major alterations, you will likely need to seek permission from various sources. We look below at...
UPDATED 26 November 2025 The much talked-about Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, becoming the Renters’ Rights Act. This legislation marks the biggest shake up of the private rental sector in a generation, and landlords must get ready....
The Ministry of Justice has announced a 12% increase to the registration fees for Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). From 17 November 2025, the fee for an LPA application will increase from £82 to £92. The increase in fees will help to cover the cost of delivering the...
It is a pleasure to share that Levi Solicitors has been shortlisted in two categories at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025: Law Firm of the Year: Small and LawTech Initiative of the Year. This recognition highlights both the strength of our team and the innovation we...
Levi Solicitors is celebrating achieving Lexcel reaccreditation, as it demonstrates its commitment to high standards of practice and client care. Lexcel is the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management. This is the...
Property partner, Navjit Singh Degun, has completed an epic 121-mile charity walk from Newcastle to Leeds. All to raise awareness and vital funds for ANDYSMANCLUB, a mental health charity aimed at preventing male suicide. Navjit was one of 75 walkers who took part in...
Trees. They can look beautiful, really add to your garden and surrounding area, and have untold benefits for nature and the environment. So, how do they cause so many disputes? I am regularly contacted by people who have difficult disputes with their neighbours that...
With Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts reaching record highs between April 2024 and March 2025, and the cost of long-term care rising, it is important to plan for how you might pay for your future care. What steps can you take to protect your estate for future...
So, the long and twisting case of Vardy v Rooney has reached a conclusion. It has been a busy few weeks for their respective legal teams! To recap, the trial judge found in Mrs Rooney’s favour, ordering Mrs Vardy to pay her costs on the indemnity basis. While costs in...
Adverse possession is a legal principle allowing someone to claim ownership of land that isn’t theirs by possessing it exclusively and openly without the owner’s permission for a statutory period of usually 10-12 years. If you need help proving adverse possession, you...
Following on from our previous blog about Local Authority Searches, another conveyancing search that will be carried out during the majority of purchase transactions is the drainage and water search. It is a crucial part of the conveyancing process, but it can be...
If you are concerned about your solicitors' bill (also known as a statute bill or invoice), there are ways in which you can challenge the bill. However, it is important to note that there are strict time limits in which to make this challenge. The procedure can be...
Over the past few months, Gemma Horner and our professional negligence team have achieved some fantastic results for our clients in claims against solicitors. | Professional negligence claim against probate solicitors We acted in a claim against the clients’ former...
This month, Wills and Probate solicitor, Connor King, had a great success for his client in an inheritance dispute. The case highlights the importance of proper estate planning, and shows some creative solutions from Connor! | Challenge under the Intestacy Rules...
Well, Prince Harry and his lawyers had a very busy January! With judgments in two claims, and a huge amount of press coverage, the question of legal costs has rarely been so high profile! We look in particular at the costs budget issues and hearing in Prince Harry's...
Janet Babington, our Practice Manager, is celebrating 25 years at Levi Solicitors. As one of the longest serving members of Team Levi, Janet joined the firm (then known as Levi and Co) back in January 2000, just after the Millennium Bug threat!! We asked Janet to look...
If you're planning to buy a property, it is important to be aware that changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are coming into force on 1 April 2025. These changes may affect how much SDLT you’ll need to pay when purchasing your property. There are changes across the...
Our Wills and Probate Partner, Andrew Milburn, answers questions on leaving a gift to charity in your will. | What are the benefits of leaving a gift to charity in your will? As well as benefitting your chosen charity, you can also reduce or remove inheritance tax...
There may be occasions when a commercial landlord needs to address a tenant’s breach of the lease terms. One option available is forfeiture, a legal process that allows a landlord to end the lease during its term. However, forfeiture is a complex area of law, and it...
The State of Ageing Report 2023-24 reports that “the older population in England is getting larger. In the last 40 years, the number of people aged 50 and over has increased by over 6.8 million (a 47% increase), and the number aged 65 and over has increased by over...
