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Dawson Hart

Trust, Wills and Probate

  • Administering Estates - Procedures and Pitfalls A recent survey has shown that more than one in ten people who are thought to have died intestate (i.e. without leaving a will) may actually have made a will and that a similar number of those who leave a will which is initially believed to be the last will...
  • Assessing Mental Capacity - Guidance One of the conditions which must be satisfied for a will to be valid is that the person making it must be of sound mind. With an ageing population, cases involving disputes over a testator’s mental capacity are becoming more common – it is...
  • Asset Valuation Problems - Chattels When dealing with an estate, an increasing problem for executors is the valuation of assets in the form of the chattels of the deceased. In probate terminology, chattels are the ‘everyday’ assets such as furniture and ordinary possessions, as...
  • CGT and Shares in Estates Valuation Trap In the UK, there are quite generous exemptions from Inheritance Tax (IHT) which apply to business assets. One problem with making use of such exemptions is the effect this may have on the subsequent value of the relevant assets for Capital Gains Tax (CGT)...
  • Changing Wills For Benefit A will expresses the final wishes of the deceased person and it is commonly thought that a will is irrevocable after death. However, provided everyone agrees, it is normally possible to vary a will provided that the application is made within two years of...
  • Cohabitees and Death - Who Can Claim? When one member of a cohabiting couple dies, it can come as an unpleasant surprise to the bereaved partner to discover that not all of their late partner’s estate will pass to them in the absence of a will. It is only when this happens that many people...
  • Dealing With an Insolvent Estate One of the rules that applies to the administration of estates is that whilst a person appointed as executor under a will can refuse to accept the appointment, once an executor ‘intermeddles’ in the estate, in principle he or she cannot then...
  • Estates - What Happens if Values Fall? One of the biggest problems now facing executors is that assets can fall in value as well as increase, which can mean that the value of an estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes is greater than the market value later on. Where assets are disposed of at...
  • Helping Your Executors Being an executor is a demanding job at the best of times and a task that is made all the more difficult when the deceased has not given proper thought to the problems their executors will face. Here are some of the things you can do to make sure your...
  • How do I Leave Money to Charity in My Will? It's easy to include a charity in your will, but you should always consult your solicitor before you write or change your will  to be sure it reflects your exact intentions and that you understand its implications. Before you call your adviser, take a...
  • Making Your Will - Guidance It is easy to keep putting off making a will. However, having a valid will is the only way to guarantee that your estate goes to who you want it to when you die. If a person dies having made a will, the distribution of their estate is normally...
  • Mental Capacity and Carers The Department of Health  has introduced a new Mental Capacity Advocate service. At the same time, a new code of practice was introduced which makes it clear that the ill-treatment or neglect of a person lacking mental capacity is a criminal offence. ...
  • What Happens on Intestacy? The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act came into force in late 2014. It changes intestacy law in England and Wales to allow a deceased's estate to pass to their widow, widower or civil partner absolutely where there are no children. The intestacy...
  • What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? In October 2007 there was a fundamental change on the way in the way powers of attorney are created and the powers that they can give attorneys, when the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) was replaced by the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). EPAs are no longer...
  • What is a Trust? A trust comes into effect when a ‘settlor’ places money, land or other assets in the hands of trustees. The trustees are the legal owners of the property but are obliged to hold and manage the property for the benefit of a person or a group of...
  • Who is Under the Influence? The law recognises that some people (such as solicitors or accountants) have a high degree of influence over other people (their clients), since clients hire their professional advisers for the specific purpose of giving advice. However, it is not normally...

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Latest News

Law Commission Recommendations to Modernise Wills Law

2025-06-05 00:00
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What Happens if Someone Dies Intestate?

2025-05-20 00:00
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Deceased Man's Sons Granted Security for Costs in Estate Dispute

2025-05-07 00:00
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Partner Battles Estranged Wife for Share of TV Producer's Estate

2025-04-16 00:00
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High Court Rules Man Died Intestate in Missing Will Case

2025-03-26 00:00
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Court Considers Codicil Made Shortly Before Woman's Death

2025-03-10 00:00
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Disinherited Daughter Awarded £125,000 from Father's Estate

2025-02-24 00:00
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Will Written on Separate Pieces of Cardboard Ruled Valid

2025-02-07 00:00
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Reasonable Financial Provision Cannot Include Success Fees

2025-01-20 00:00
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Farmer was Bound by Promise to Leave Farm to His Son

2025-01-02 00:00
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  • Appeal Against Dismissal of Boundary Determination Fails
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Selling Land to a Developer - What You Need to Know

Lochana Gabrielsen
  • Posted2025-06-13 00:00
  • AuthorLochana Gabrielsen

Are you thinking about selling some or all of your land to a developer?  Whether it’s a back garden, a field, or a larger parcel on the edge of town, selling land can be a great opportunity—but it’s not always straightforward. Before...

  • Posted in
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  • We have used Dawson Hart for our business property purchases and sales for years and they never fail to deliver.
  • Expert personal attention to three generations of my family - excellent firm.
  • I have used Dawson Hart for over forty years. I live almost 100 miles away from their office, but still use them because all the staff are welcoming and efficient. I cannot rate them highly enough.
  • Delighted with the service offered.
  • Efficient, courteous resolution of a difficult matter.
  • Wonderful people, excellent service.
  • Phone always answered promptly by Reception staff who always quickly transferred call through to conveyancing team.'
  • Dawson Hart  ‘has a recognised expertise in high-value financial cases representing professionals and business people from all sectors’. Practice head Mahie Abey ‘has an excellent grasp of the law, is very client focused and deals with complex situations with skill and a clear grasp of the issues'. Caroline Bourn’s collaborative law practice is highlighted together with her ‘grasp of details combined with a very approachable manner’. In addition to handling the financial issues arising from divorce and the breakdown of civil partnerships, the team also resolves Children Act issues and children residency matters.

  • Caroline Bourn is praised by sources for her “calm, clear and efficient” approach to family and matrimonial matters. She regularly handles complex financial remedy cases for high net worth clients as well as private children work. She is also an experienced collaborative lawyer.

  • The young ladies in the reception area were pleasant and cheerful, giving the impression of a well run, efficient workplace.
  • Department head Mahie Abey handles complex, high-value matrimonial finance cases. He is also well versed in handling private children matters. He receives high praise from clients, one of whom notes; “I have 100% faith that he has my best interests at heart and feel confident knowing he is fighting my corner.

  • It’s very reassuring to know that I have found a local firm of solicitors who I feel I can trust to use again whenever I have need of legal services. Your staff are all a pleasure to deal with and I have received excellent care and service throughout the proceedings.

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Dawson Hart Solicitors Limited is a limited company registered in England and Wales, No 8268648. Registered Office: The Old Grammar School, Church Street, Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1BH

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