News

Kate Garraway's heart-breaking story of her husband Derek's year-long battle with Covid has been made even more complicated by the lack of legal protection she and Derek had in place. Kate was unable to access funds to manage her husband's care or refinance her mortgage. She didn't even have the legal right to see his medical notes, owing to data protection. 

At Burningham & Brown we believe in fostering a positive ongoing relationship with all of our Clients. We are a prestigious niche Private Client Firm based centrally in Queen Square in Bath and we remain a Partner led Firm with a mission to provide quality work with excellent Client Care.

Sadly, the current Covid pandemic crisis has highlighted the importance of keeping one's affairs in order. In particular, the importance of having an up to date Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Buying a home is one of the biggest and most important investments many of us will ever make. The conveyancing process should be straightforward but rarely is. Conveyancing solicitors take care of all the legal aspects of a house sale, including the contracts, property searches and mortgage checks. They will also deal with the exchange of funds and the transfer of ownership, from buyer to seller. A good conveyancing solicitor can make a house purchase as pain-free as possible.

In light of the current concerns around Coronavirus, Burningham & Brown are now taking Will instructions over the telephone.

On Sunday 7^th March Justine Alford, Partner of Burningham & Brown, completed the 8-mile Bath Rugby Walk in order to raise money for Dorothy House hospice care. The walk started at Dorothy House, Winsley, Bradford on Avon and finished at Bath Recreation Ground, the home of Bath Rugby.

On the 1st February 2018, the Ministry of Justice launched the Office of the Public Guardian Fee Refund Scheme to allow partial refunds where the OPG registration fee for Lasting Powers of Attorney was paid between the 1st April 2013 and the 31st March 2017. The scheme was launched because it was found that the registration fee during this period did not properly reflect the costs involved.

The Forever Friends Appeal, together with members of the RUH Executive team were delighted to officially present Burningham & Brown with their 'Corporate Partner' fundraising Plaque. The Plaque is to recognise our continued support over the past 5 years and raising £10,000 towards different departments within the RUH.

Burningham & Brown are very pleased to announce that we will be once again be supporting the annual RUH Will Month initiative, which helps to raise funds for the RUH's charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.

Have you ever thought about who you would want to make decisions for you if you became seriously ill or had an accident and how these decisions would be made?

At the end of each matter, we send every Client a Satisfaction Questionnaire and ask for their honest feedback, we are continuously looking at ways in which our service can be improved and we very much value the feedback given on our performance. We rely on these comments to enable us to work towards providing our Clients with an excellent service.

On Saturday 15^th June 2019 Burningham & Brown took part in the annual Bath Boules competition which takes place in the centre of Queen Square. Every year the Bath Boules raises thousands of pounds for local charities and it helps bring the community closer together. The event has raised £400,000 to date for local charities.

Over the last few months, Burningham & Brown has participated in several charity events to raise money for different worthy causes.

As the impact of Brexit is looking more and more uncertain it follows that there may be financial pressures not only on the family but also on family assets. Such issues usually occur at the worst possible time in terms of finances and the possibility of liquidating such funds. At this time common sense is required and good professional advice should be sought to help those that are directly affected by the possible pending change in circumstances.

Choosing the right Solicitor for you is obviously a very important decision. Many factors will be taken into consideration when deciding who to use and we realise that price and service quality are likely to be of key importance.

Burningham & Brown are very pleased to announce that we will be once again supporting the annual RUH Will Month initiative, which helps to raise funds for the RUH's charity, The Forever Friends Appeal.

When we provide you with a quote for our fees in relation to assisting you with purchasing your home, we also advise you about other expenses that are likely to be incurred such as: Land Registry registration fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax, Searches and VAT.

In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes.

On the 1st February 2018, the Ministry of Justice has launched the Office of Public Guardian Fee Refund Scheme for fee payments between the 1st April 2013 and the 31st March 2017. The Scheme is by way of an application online however, if you do not have access to the internet you can telephone the Office of Public Guardian in order to action a telephone claim instead. The telephone number is: 0300 4560300 (choose Option 6).

If you think you have a claim, please follow the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund

Burningham & Brown solicitors has for the third year running taken part in the RUH make a Will month in September 2017 whereby the fee for making the Will is waived and donated to the Royal United Hospital Bath and this year they have raised over £2,000.00 for the RUH.

Here at Burningham & Brown Solicitors, we are pleased to announce that we will be once again be supporting  the annual RUH Will Month initiative, which helps to raise funds for the RUH's charity, the Forever Friends Appeal.

The Forever Friends Appeal has gained a welcome boost to its funds with the news that the RUH Will Month fundraising initiative ran throughout the month of September raised an incredible £31,350.00 to help towards the care of patients at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic diseases (RNHRD).

Justine Alford of Burningham & Brown Solicitors reflects upon the importance of having a Will, the need to update it as your circumstances change and the benefits of setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney

It is not an easy topic to address and is often put at the bottom of the 'to do' list but there are various changes in life that may mean you should consider updating your Will:

Most people know that they should write a Will, but not many people know that they should also consider something called a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Click here to download the STEP Code 2016

Make or update your Will in September and support the Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Budget highlights:-

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exempt amount - The annual exempt amount for 2015/2016 is £11,100.00.
• Inheritance tax (IHT) threshold remains at £325,000 for 2015-16.

The Law Commission Report found that the existing law of intestacy and family provision was "outdated, confusing or places unnecessary obstacles in the way of those with a valid claim to share in a deceased person's assets". 

Approximately 800,000 people in Britain suffer some form of dementia and over one million will do so within the next ten years according to the Alzheimer's Society.

The birth of a child changes so many things and is often a time when parents of young children begin to think about their own personal circumstances and wish to plan ahead financially, and also decide who should look after that child should something happen to both parents.

Sarah Loveless, Specialist Family Partner of Burningham & Brown explains what divorce entails.