No fault divorce finally comes into force on 6 April 2022.

The key feature of the Act is the ‘no fault’ divorce which will allow married couples to divorce without assigning blame.

Sometimes couples just want to separate without having to sling mud at each other, the old rules offered no other option if they have not been separated for two years or more.  The introduction of the ‘no fault’ divorce option will hopefully remove unnecessary acrimony between parties and allow them to focus on the bigger issues upon separation such as finances and children.

If you wish to discuss your options with a member of our family team, please get in touch.

Southampton office – kellybruton@newleafsolicitors.co.uk

Birmingham office – paulineorourke@newleafsolicitors.co.uk

Rugby office – francinebristo@newleafsolicitors.co.uk

Daventry office – amytrevellick@newleafsolicitors.co.uk

As we approach the end of the financial year our Amye Aris discusses the annual gift exemption.

TAX-FREE GIFTS TO FAMILY MEMBERS

Are you a parent, grandparent, or godparent? Do you make use of your annual gift exemption? If you answered ‘yes’ to the first question you should also consider doing the second as a good way of Estate planning for Inheritance Tax purposes.

WHAT IS THE ANNUAL GIFT EXEMPTION?

Everyone is entitled to give away assets or cash up to a value of £3,000 annually without it being added to the total value of their estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. Any unused part of the exemption can also be carried forward for one tax year.

Parents can gift up to £3,000 tax-free per year to help towards a house deposit, renovations, or as a gift to a new grandchild, for example. Remember that this is your personal allowance, so you cannot give each

Our Pauline O’Rourke discusses the impact on financial matters when the new divorce law comes into force this April.

Consent Orders and the new D81 form.

We have new divorce procedures coming in to force in April but it is important for the lay person to appreciate that getting divorced and obtaining a clean break financial order on your finances are two separate processes.

You can apply to the court for an order on your agreed terms of settlement (a “consent order”) once you have your conditional divorce order (decree nisi). This financial consent order in draft is placed before a Judge who will approve the making of your order but only if it is reasonable and fair to hold the parties to it. To enable this, a joint Statement of Information D81 form must be completed by the parties, signed and submitted as part of the consent order application. This form completion

Another testimonial for our Amye Aris who specialises in Wills and Probate;

“Amye Aris at New Leaf Solicitors was recommended to me by a friend. I’d mentioned in passing that I needed to get my will done but was apprehensive and didn’t know what to do. He reassured me that Amye would be able to hold my hand and walk me through all the necessary steps. In effect, Amye was incredibly helpful, providing guidance and clarity at each step. Furthermore, she was very kind and understanding, and listened patiently to my concerns. After several years of procrastination, I now have my will. It’s a huge relief, and I cannot recommend Amye highly enough”.

Ms T