Do we need to value an estate for probate?
When someone has died, it will be necessary to calculate the total value of their estate, and this needs to be done fairly promptly – so it can be helpful to ensure your personal paperwork filing is up to date, clearly labelled and easy to find.
We are looking for a solicitor or legal executive to join our private client team
Hughes Solicitors serves Heathfield and the surrounding local areas providing private client and property legal services and has an exciting opportunity for a private client solicitor or legal executive to join our busy private client team.
Could you benefit from making a lasting power of attorney?
Have you ever thought about what would happen if you lost the ability to make important decisions as a result of an accident or an illness, such as a stroke or dementia? Did you know that your nearest and dearest might have to go to court to be able to make decisions...
Glowing report from 2021 Lexcel Assessment
It has been a challenging eighteen months for every business due to the pandemic, especially law firms. Initially, the demand for making a will soared, and then the property sector has faced additional challenges as the stamp duty holiday caused the housing market to...
Hughes Solicitors at Le Marché
On 30 August 2021, Hughes Solicitors will have a presence at Le Marché and the team will be sharing information about our legal services for wills and probate and residential conveyancing. We will be setting up a small marquee just outside our office. We have a...
Thinking of reviewing your legal affairs? Our private client services brochure is now online
Planning for the future while putting your legal and financial affairs in good order, is one way of ensuring peace of mind. At Hughes Solicitors in Heathfield, East Sussex we are here to help you prepare for later life, plan for your inheritance and manage your...
Government opens consultation on modernising lasting powers of attorney
The Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Public Guardian have opened a public consultation to gather input on how to modernise the system for making and monitoring lasting powers of attorney. More government services are being provided digitally and during the...
Hughes Solicitors office closure on 19 July 2021 – a thank you to our team
Our office in Heathfield, East Sussex is going to be closed on Monday 19 July 2021, or as some people are calling it, ‘Freedom Day’. “In anticipation of the Covid-19 restrictions lifting, we wanted to give our staff a reward for their tireless efforts and hard work...
Big weddings on again – but don’t forget your will …
From today, 21 June, big wedding ceremonies and receptions are back on in England, with no restriction on the number of guests who can be invited as long as it is held outside or in a Covid-secure public venue, and all social distancing rules are complied with. This...
Vacancy for legal secretary to join our private client team in Heathfield, East Sussex
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Legal Secretary to provide a personal assistant role and full comprehensive support service to at least two lawyers in the private client team.
Rod Hughes becomes Consultant Solicitor, retiring as Partner
It is with mixed feelings that we announce that Rod Hughes will be retiring as a partner on 1 May 2021, though Rod will remain as a part-time consultant assisting with property related matters for clients of the firm. He will be working three days each week, usually...
Rod Hughes reflects on his legal career
Taking a step back from partnership as he becomes a consultant, Rod Hughes reflects on his legal career, achievements over the last ten years with Hughes Solicitors, what the firm means to him and he shares (more than) a few plans for his retirement. Founding Hughes...
Video: Reasons for making a will when you have children
If you have children or dependants, making a will is not just about gifting wealth and personal possessions. You can use your will to outline any important decisions for your children’s future, such as making financial arrangements and deciding who will be their...
Video: Three good reasons for making a will
Making a will is one of those tasks which often gets put to one side. However, the coronavirus has shone a spotlight on our mortality and if anything should happen to you, we are sure you would want to make it as easy as possible for your family to deal with your...
East Sussex home-buyers to benefit from SDLT extension in budget
Commenting on the extension to the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday, Matthew Sabine of Hughes Solicitors, welcomed the move by Rishi Sunak in the Spring Statement: ‘The extension will be welcomed by buyers and sellers struggling to complete house purchases by 31 March...
Inheritance tax threshold frozen and tax planning in spotlight
While the newspapers were predicting changes to inheritance tax, Rishi Sunak restricted himself to simply freezing the current threshold at which inheritance tax is payable until 2026. The Spring Statement also included proposals for tackling ’promoters of tax...
What information do I need to prepare before making a will?
If you are planning on making or updating a will, there is certain information which you will need to have ready for your solicitor. This will ensure that your wishes for funeral arrangements, property and finances after death are fully set out. It will also set your...
What will happen to all my online music collection when I die?
Our grandparents stored their photographs on slides and their music was on vinyl records and, while the latter have made something of a comeback recently, it is the earliest editions which are valuable. For example, a rare copy of The Beatles: 'Til There Was You' (10”...
East Sussex private client lawyers’ recommendations for 2021 resolutions
It is that time again when we make our New Year’s Resolutions for the year ahead. Perhaps you intend to learn a new skill or take more exercise. But what about looking beyond the next 12 months… have you made plans to look after your finances, your family and your...
Inheritance planning – Making lifetime gifts
Christmas is a time for giving, and maybe also a time for planning your inheritance as we look ahead to a new year. If you wish to limit the amount of inheritance tax which will be owed to HM Treasury when you die, then there are various steps which you can take which...