The Law in everyday life
Probate is the legal authority to deal with what someone leaves behind. Not every estate needs it, the tax has to be sorted out before you can apply, and the wait is measured in months rather than weeks.
Law In Life · 3 September 2026
Inheritance tax is discussed as though it applies to everyone. In practice it starts at £325,000, doubles up between spouses, and can reach £1 million for a couple leaving a home to their children.
Law In Life · 3 September 2026
Without a will, the law decides who inherits — and its answer may be nothing like yours. Unmarried partners can be left with no claim at all, while a surviving husband or wife may have to share an estate with children.
Law In Life · 3 September 2026
For same-sex families, being a parent in everyday life and being recognised as one in law are not always the same thing. The answer can depend on how a child was conceived, whether treatment took place at a licensed clinic and whether the correct legal steps were completed at the right time.
3 September 2026
An emerging trend shows more parents choosing to keep children off social media due to worries over privacy, AI-generated deepfakes, and future digital reputation, especially amid parental disputes post-separation.
3 September 2026
Adoption creates a new and permanent legal family, but reaching that point involves preparation, assessment, matching and a court order. Here is how the process works, what it costs and how an adoption changes parental rights.
3 September 2026
Domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence. When someone is being threatened, controlled, harassed or made to feel unsafe at home, a non-molestation order or occupation order may provide urgent legal protection.
3 September 2026
Once associated with celebrities and inherited fortunes, prenuptial agreements are increasingly being considered by ordinary couples. They cannot remove the court’s responsibility to reach a fair outcome, but they may have a powerful influence if a marriage ends.
3 September 2026
Living together can feel every bit as committed as marriage, but the law does not treat the two relationships in the same way. Here is what unmarried couples need to know about their home, finances, children and inheritance.
3 September 2026
Separating does not end either parent’s financial responsibility for their children. Here is how child maintenance is arranged, how payments are calculated and what can happen when circumstances change or payments are missed.
3 September 2026
The family home is often the biggest and most emotional issue in a divorce. Here is how ownership, children’s needs, finances and future housing are considered when deciding who stays and what happens next.
3 September 2026
New data reveals significant regional variations in stamp duty bills across England and Northern Ireland, with London and the South facing the highest costs for both first-time buyers and existing homeowners amid rising house prices.
3 September 2026