Blog Posts
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Levi Solicitors is pleased to announce that our Dispute Resolution team has been shortlisted for the Litigation and Dispute Resolution award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at New Dock Hall, Leeds, on 8 October. The...
Being named as an executor (someone appointed in a will to manage a deceased person’s estate) is a significant responsibility. It’s also a role that often arrives at one of the hardest moments of your life, when you’re dealing with grief, family dynamics, and complex...
Thinking about what might happen if you lost the ability to make decisions for yourself isn’t something most of us do willingly. It’s the kind of planning many people put off until it feels more urgent. But for families already supporting a loved one through dementia,...
Losing someone close to you is never easy, and being named as an executor (the person appointed in a will to administer a deceased person’s estate) often means stepping into a role you weren’t expecting. One of the most pressing questions many executors face is what...
Losing a loved one is one of life’s hardest experiences, and the practical responsibilities that follow can feel overwhelming. If the person who died owned a home, you may suddenly find yourself responsible for securing, managing, and ultimately selling or...
At Levi Solicitors, our people are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we're proud to have signed up to the West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter. A regional initiative designed to help employers create fairer, more inclusive and supportive workplaces. The Charter...
Individuals and families applying for probate will face a significant increase in court fees from 13 July 2026, with the probate application fee set to rise by 75%. From 13 July 2026, the fee for obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration increases from...
18 - 24 May 2026 is Dementia Action Week to raise awareness for the disease. Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia*. Many people worry about whether they will be able to make decisions for themselves if they are diagnosed. However, just because...
Attitudes to marriage and civil partnership have shifted over recent years. Marriage rates decline, while more couples are choosing to live together without marrying or entering into a civil partnership. Some families are blended with children from previous...
Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial steps most people take. Clients place enormous trust in their conveyancing solicitor to guide them and make sure the process runs smoothly. While most transactions complete without issue, mistakes do happen, and...
UPDATED: 31 March 2026 You will have no doubt read that the Renters’ Right Act became law on 27 October 2025 and that the first key implementation date is 1 May 2026. So, what do landlords need to do now to prepare for next May? 1. Update your tenancy agreements for...
One of the most common reasons a will is challenged is when there are doubts about whether the testator (the person making the will) had the mental capacity to make it, or whether they fully understood and approved the document. These issues are often at the heart of...
When someone passes away, the executor of their will is responsible for managing the estate and ensuring the deceased’s wishes are carried out. In most cases, this process runs smoothly. However, problems can arise if a beneficiary believes the executor is not acting...
Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. A well-prepared will provides clarity, avoids uncertainty, and can help prevent disagreements about how your estate should...
Probate disputes can arise for many reasons, but one of the most difficult situations for families is when an executor or administrator misuses a deceased person’s money after their death. Executors are trusted to manage the estate honestly, with transparency and in...
As a property owner, there will be times when you want to carry out alterations to your property. You may be free to do more minor works as you see fit. However, for more major alterations, you will likely need to seek permission from various sources. We look below at...
UPDATED 26 November 2025 The much talked-about Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, becoming the Renters’ Rights Act. This legislation marks the biggest shake up of the private rental sector in a generation, and landlords must get ready....
The Ministry of Justice has announced a 12% increase to the registration fees for Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). From 17 November 2025, the fee for an LPA application will increase from £82 to £92. The increase in fees will help to cover the cost of delivering the...
It is a pleasure to share that Levi Solicitors has been shortlisted in two categories at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2025: Law Firm of the Year: Small and LawTech Initiative of the Year. This recognition highlights both the strength of our team and the innovation we...
Levi Solicitors is celebrating achieving Lexcel reaccreditation, as it demonstrates its commitment to high standards of practice and client care. Lexcel is the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management. This is the...
Property partner, Navjit Singh Degun, has completed an epic 121-mile charity walk from Newcastle to Leeds. All to raise awareness and vital funds for ANDYSMANCLUB, a mental health charity aimed at preventing male suicide. Navjit was one of 75 walkers who took part in...
Trees. They can look beautiful, really add to your garden and surrounding area, and have untold benefits for nature and the environment. So, how do they cause so many disputes? I am regularly contacted by people who have difficult disputes with their neighbours that...
With Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts reaching record highs between April 2024 and March 2025, and the cost of long-term care rising, it is important to plan for how you might pay for your future care. What steps can you take to protect your estate for future...
So, the long and twisting case of Vardy v Rooney has reached a conclusion. It has been a busy few weeks for their respective legal teams! To recap, the trial judge found in Mrs Rooney’s favour, ordering Mrs Vardy to pay her costs on the indemnity basis. While costs in...
Following on from our previous blog about Local Authority Searches, another conveyancing search that will be carried out during the majority of purchase transactions is the drainage and water search. It is a crucial part of the conveyancing process, but it can be...
If you are concerned about your solicitors' bill (also known as a statute bill or invoice), there are ways in which you can challenge the bill. However, it is important to note that there are strict time limits in which to make this challenge. The procedure can be...
Over the past few months, Gemma Horner and our professional negligence team have achieved some fantastic results for our clients in claims against solicitors. | Professional negligence claim against probate solicitors We acted in a claim against the clients’ former...
This month, Wills and Probate solicitor, Connor King, had a great success for his client in an inheritance dispute. The case highlights the importance of proper estate planning, and shows some creative solutions from Connor! | Challenge under the Intestacy Rules...
Well, Prince Harry and his lawyers had a very busy January! With judgments in two claims, and a huge amount of press coverage, the question of legal costs has rarely been so high profile! We look in particular at the costs budget issues and hearing in Prince Harry's...
Janet Babington, our Practice Manager, is celebrating 25 years at Levi Solicitors. As one of the longest serving members of Team Levi, Janet joined the firm (then known as Levi and Co) back in January 2000, just after the Millennium Bug threat!! We asked Janet to look...
