News
UNREGULATED WILLS
The recent documentary from Panorama entitled "Wills - The Final Rip Off?" revealed the increasing risks to consumers of using will-writing firms who entice them with initial cheap offers, which then escalate to thousand of pounds.
Consumers are being misled from the outset. They are swayed by home visits and hard sell and are being sold expensive packages, which include storage costs and agreeing to estate administration services when they execute their will. On death, fixed fee percentages for dealing with the estate are being charged, which they were unaware of.
The programme also exposed the poor standards and levels of service of some firms. In one case, the cheques that the beneficiaries finally received representing their entitlement bounced. In another case, a client was told that the will had been lost despite storage fees being paid.
The worst example of consumers being ripped off was by a company who defrauded the beneficiaries and stole their entire payout. It turned out that one of the employees was a previously struck-off solicitor.
Unlike solicitors, will-writing firms are not presently regulated and have no indemnity scheme in place. So if you are thinking of making a will, think twice before you accept the advertised price.
STAMP DUTY RELIEF FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS-
The Budget on 24 March 2010 announced that first time buyers will not have to pay stamp duty on residential properties of up to £250,000 . This will apply to any purchases completed on or after 25 March 2010 until 25 March 2010..
Please note that to qualify as a first time buyer, you must never have owned a property anywhere in the world. This includes any properties you may have inherited rather than actually purchased.
If you are buying a property jointly with another person, you must BOTH be first time buyers to qualify.
You must be buying the property to live in as your main home.
Kerseys three core values
1. To develop the skills and enthusiasm of all our employees and partners so that they can all reach their maximum potential
2. To maintain and enhance a strong service ethic and integrity to all our clients
3. To be engaged in the Ipswich and wider community
Kerseys managing partner Anthony Wooding says:
Some people (including some of our staff) have queried whether 1 and 2 are in the right order: surely our clients come before our staff? Indeed our clients do come first. But we are only going to achieve the best for our clients if we strive to meet our own potential first.
Kerseys demonstrate a strong service ethic
In November 2009, Kerseys was inspected by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) who conducted a review of a small number of our files selected entirely by the reviewer. Although SRA cannot and does not endorse Kerseys and the visit was only a snapshot at the review date, we are pleased to say that we were found to 'demonstrate a strong service ethic'.
Jane Riley - Property Law Blog & Twitter updates
Follow the link to read Jane's latest blog entitled 'A day in the life of a Conveyancing Solicitor:- J.Riley - Property Law Blog
Jane can also be followed on 
- click here to read the latest tweets!
Anthony Wooding has a weekly radio slot on Ipswich Community Radio (105.7 fm)
Follow the link to listen to the latest discussions:- Legal Eagle Radio
Legal 500 2009
The updated Legal 500 was published in September 2009. Once again, Kerseys has a high ranking in the region. Follow the link to find out more!Legal 500
The Art of Kerseys
Kerseys are very pleased to be supporting local education and art through University Campus Suffolk. Young artists are exhibiting works which help brighten up the offices at 32 Lloyds Avenue as well as promoting the students and the University. Managing partner Anthony Wooding (a keen artist himself) has recently commissioned a fun piece depicting the partners of Kerseys. Click here for a preview!
- To develop the skills and enthusiasm of all our employees and partners so that they can all reach their maximum potential
- To maintain and enhance a strong service ethic and integrity to all our clients
- To be engaged in the Ipswich and wider community
