Commercial Services – Conveyancing

The business side of property – acting for private individuals and businesses buying, selling, leasing and developing real estate as part of their business.

In particular we offer the following:

Initial site inspection combined with desktop due diligence, to provide legal/commercial appraisal to client and/or lender, to enable decision-making on acquisition/financing.

• Advice on commercial negotiations pre- and post-contract
• Joint ventures
• Planning Agreements and general planning advice
• Environmental
• Construction
• Financing
• Landlord and tenant – commercial
• Plot sales

Lease Extension

Flat owners in England and Wales who lease their properties need to get to grips with two things that could otherwise result in considerable financial pain. They go under the names of “leasehold enfranchisement” and “leasehold extension”.

Many leases on flats built in the 1960s, 70s and 80s are getting close to a critical stage in their lifespan. Flat owners who want to extend their leases, but wait too long, could see the price for doing so rise sharply.

So, what do the two terms mean?

Leasehold extension is fairly self-explanatory.

It is the process of extending a lease on a property by paying the landlord, or freeholder, a sum of money – sometimes referred to as compensation.

Leasehold enfranchisement is not so self-explanatory.

It is the process of buying the freehold from the landlord and thereby turning your leasehold property, in which you are the tenant, into a freehold property. You become the freeholder and own the property and the land on which it is built outright.

Anyone wishing to acquire their freehold or extend their lease should seek specific professional legal and valuation advice. At Horizon Law we have the expertise to guide you through the process.

Why you should make a Will

Your Will tells everyone what should happen to your money, possessions and property after you die (all these things together are called your “estate”). If you don’t leave a will, the law decides how your estate is passed on – and this might not be in line with your wishes.

Four reasons why you need a Will

Don’t delay

It’s easy to make a Will – and it will save your family unnecessary distress at an already difficult time.

• A Will can make it much easier for your family or friends to organise matters when you pass away.
• Without a Will, everything you own will be shared out in a standard way defined by the law – which isn’t always the way you may want.
• A Will can help reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax that might be payable on the value of a property and money you leave behind.
• Writing a Will is especially important if you have children or other family who depend on you financially, or if you want to leave something to someone outside of your immediate family.

We offer a quick and easy service to draft your Will. Please call our Wills specialist on 020 3328 3591.

Lasting Power of Attorney

A Will ensures that your wishes are followed when you die, but a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) ensures they are followed whilst you are living. An LPA is a legally binding document which allows you to decide who acts and makes decisions on your behalf when you no longer have the mental capacity to do so. If you do not make an LPA, and you lose mental capacity, the Court of Protection will act on your behalf. This is a costly, stressful and time-consuming process for your family.

By creating an LPA now, YOU are in control of making decisions and it is less complicated for your family, in the long run. There are two types of LPA, and you can choose to make both types or just one.

Property and Financial Affairs LPA

Allows the person acting on your behalf to make decisions on money matters, such as buying and selling your property, dealing with your bills and managing your bank accounts.

Health and Welfare LPA

Needed in some specific cases for decisions regarding where you live and how you should be treated medically. We offer a quick and easy service to draft your LPA. Please call our Lasting Powers of Attorney specialist on 020 3328 3591. All LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian for which they charge a fee payable to register each LPA.

Probate

Following the death of a family member the last of your immediate concerns is the administration of the estate. Horizon Law can ease the burden by dealing with the estate administration as you wish. We offer practical, sensible advice at the time when it is needed most.

A legal expert experienced in probate can help ease the burden and navigate the whole process for you so you can focus on more important matters, such as giving yourself sufficient time and space to grieve the loss of your loved one. Please call our Probate specialist on 020 3328 3591.

Trusts

Trusts in Estate Planning can also be important.  You can pass and preserve your estate efficiently and privately, and you have control over the distribution of your assets.

A Trust will ensure that your assets are distributed as you have planned.  At Horizon Law, we can talk to you about how a Trust may help you pass your wishes and assets on.  There are several types of Trusts to consider to achieve the most appropriate for your needs. Please call us on 020 3328 3591.