Spreading Festive Joy in Macclesfield: THP Law Gives Back to the Community

At THP Law, we believe in making a positive difference in the communities we serve, and this Christmas, we wanted to bring a little extra festive joy to the families of Macclesfield. To do this, we partnered with St Michael & All Angels Church, the local church next to Macclesfield Town Hall, to donate 50 selection boxes for local children.

The festive season is all about family, happiness, and togetherness. As a family-run solicitors firm, we deeply understand the importance of creating joyful moments, and we hope that our small gesture will bring smiles to local children and their families. St Michael & All Angels Church has long been at the heart of the Macclesfield community, and we are proud to support their wonderful efforts in reaching out to those in need during this special time of year.

Continuing a Tradition of Community Support

Although THP Law has only been part of the Macclesfield community for seven months, we are committed to carrying on the legacy of Aboudi Bradley and Co, a trusted local solicitors firm that we incorporated earlier this year. For generations, Aboudi Bradley and Co served the people of Macclesfield with care and dedication, often working with families across multiple generations. We are honoured to continue that tradition of service and community involvement.

Looking ahead to next year, we plan to deepen our connection with Macclesfield by supporting even more local causes and initiatives. Our goal is to make a lasting impact, whether by helping local families, championing community projects, or providing our legal expertise to those who need it most.

Our Legal Services in Macclesfield

At THP Law, we offer a range of legal services tailored to the needs of individuals and families in Macclesfield:

Conveyancing: Buying and selling houses in Macclesfield is a significant life event, and our experienced conveyancing team is here to guide you through the process with care and efficiency.

Will Writing: Planning for the future is vital. Our Will writing services in Macclesfield provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Probate: Losing a loved one is never easy, and we aim to ease the burden by handling the legal aspects of estate administration with sensitivity and professionalism.

Dispute Resolution: Whether you’re dealing with a contested Will to a corporate dispute we are here to help you find practical and effective solutions.

Our Commitment to Macclesfield

As local solicitors in Macclesfield, we are passionate about serving the people and families in this vibrant community. From helping clients navigate the complexities of buying and selling houses in Macclesfield to offering compassionate Will writing services, we are dedicated to making a positive impact both inside and outside our offices.

This Christmas, we hope our donation of 50 selection boxes brings a little extra magic to the children of Macclesfield. As we look to the future, we’re excited to build on this small gesture and contribute even more to the local community in the years to come.

From all of us at THP Law, we wish you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Spreading Holiday Cheer with County Community Trust: THP Law Donates 50 Advent Calendars

At THP Law, we believe in supporting the community that supports us. As solicitors in Stockport, giving back is part of who we are. That’s why we’re proud to have donated 50 advent calendars to the County Community Trust for their County’s Social Well-Being Group.

This incredible group reaches out to those in our community who are living with long-term health and mental health conditions, experiencing loneliness, or living in social isolation. Their work also extends to individuals with physical and learning disabilities, complex needs, and dementia. By providing opportunities to connect and engage, they make a real and lasting positive difference to people’s lives—improving health, mental well-being, confidence, and self-esteem.

The County Community Trust, led by the fantastic Matt Bailey and Eddie Owen, brings together vulnerable individuals, their families, carers, and friends. Through their initiatives, they not only reduce stigma but also raise awareness of these vital issues within the wider community. As Stockport solicitors, we are truly inspired by their dedication to making Stockport a better, more inclusive place for everyone.

Making a Difference This Christmas

We hope that our donation of advent calendars brings a little joy and comfort to those who receive them. It’s a small gesture, but we believe it can help someone feel part of the Stockport community, reduce loneliness, and hopefully bring a smile during the festive countdown to Christmas.

Why Community Matters to Us

As a family-run firm of solicitors in Stockport, we understand the importance of connection and belonging. Our services—ranging from Residential Conveyancing to Wills, Probate, LPAs, and Dispute Resolution—are tailored to the needs of our local clients. We take pride in serving the people of Stockport and surrounding areas with care, compassion, and professionalism.

Whether we’re helping someone secure their dream home, plan for their family’s future, or resolve a difficult situation, we’re here for our community. Supporting initiatives like the County’s Social Well-Being Group aligns with our values and reinforces our commitment to giving back.

Supporting the County Community Trust

The County Community Trust does outstanding work in making Stockport a more inclusive and supportive place for everyone. Their programs foster community spirit and create a space where vulnerable individuals feel seen, valued, and connected.

We encourage everyone in Stockport to learn more about this fantastic organization and how they make a difference. Whether it’s volunteering, attending their events, or simply spreading the word, there are plenty of ways to support their mission.

Season’s Greetings from THP Law

As the festive season approaches, we’re reminded of the power of small acts of kindness. At THP Law, we’re honoured to contribute to a community initiative that spreads joy and hope during the holidays.

If you’re looking for a team of trusted Stockport solicitors, we’re here to help. From legal advice to community engagement, we’re proud to be part of the Stockport story.

Wishing you a joyful and inclusive countdown to Christmas!

For more information about our legal services or to get in touch, visit our website or call us today.

Festive Fun at the First Bollington Bazaar!

At THP Law, we pride ourselves on being part of the local community, and the inaugural Bollington Bazaar was the perfect opportunity to do just that. Held at the end of November, this event brought together local businesses, crafters, and residents for a day filled with festive cheer, unique gifts, and a wonderful sense of community spirit.

Supporting Local Businesses in Bollington

The Bollington Bazaar, organized by the talented Vikki Wray of Bollington Printshop, was designed to help people get a head start on their Christmas shopping while supporting local businesses. With 19 craft stalls showcasing everything from handmade Christmas cards and original prints to mouthwatering cakes, the event was a celebration of Bollington’s vibrant high street.

Victoria, one of our solicitors, has deep roots in the Bollington community. Having grown up nearby, she knows many of the people and businesses in the area. For her, and for all of us at THP Law, supporting local businesses isn’t just something we do; it’s a passion.

Highlights from the Day

The event was free to enter, making it accessible for everyone in the community. We were thrilled to have our THP Law stall just outside the main room, where we had the chance to meet so many wonderful people from Bollington and beyond.

Inside, there were treasures to discover at every turn. From gorgeous Christmas cards to The Cake Tin of Joy’s irresistible Quality Street cupcakes (seriously, you must try them!), every stall offered something special.

Even the Bollington Mayor joined in the fun, taking the time to visit each stall and chat with vendors and attendees.

Why Events Like This Matter

As solicitors in Bollington, being part of community events like the Bollington Bazaar is incredibly important to us. Not only do they bring people together, but they also help to champion the local businesses that make Bollington such a unique and wonderful place.

Victoria’s ties to the Bollington community made this event even more meaningful for us. Supporting the local high street, fostering connections, and spreading festive cheer are all part of what makes Bollington so special—and we’re honored to play a small role in that.

How THP Law Can Help

While we love being part of events like the Bollington Bazaar, our primary focus is on helping the local community with their legal needs. As trusted solicitors in Bollington, we offer a range of services, including:

• Residential Conveyancing: Helping you move into your dream home in Bollington or beyond.

• Wills and Probate: Providing peace of mind for you and your family.

• Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs): Ensuring your wishes are respected if the unexpected happens.

• Dispute Resolution: Supporting you through challenging situations with care and professionalism.

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell property, plan for the future, or resolve a legal matter, our friendly team is here to help.

Looking Ahead

We’re already looking forward to the next Bollington Bazaar and other community events. At THP Law, we’re committed to being more than just a legal service provider—we’re a part of the Bollington community.

If you met us at the Bazaar and would like to learn more about our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch. From our family to yours, we wish you a happy and stress-free festive season!

For trusted and approachable solicitors in Bollington, contact THP Law today.

Why do I need an LPA?

You never know what life is going to throw at you. You may think you’re invincible but old age and ill health creep up on us all. Or you may have a major accident and be unable to look after yourself.

So, it’s a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality. 

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot or do not want to make decisions anymore. You may have been diagnosed with dementia, for example, and have lost mental capacity. It is totally separate from a will.

Setting up an LPA means you can take control in advance and choose someone you trust to be in charge of making key decisions for you. A way of getting some peace of mind about the future. 

Different types of Power of Attorney

An Ordinary Power of Attorney is useful if you need cover for your financial affairs for a temporary period such as a stay in hospital. You would still have mental capacity in this scenario.        

There are also two types of Lasting Power of Attorney, which come into effect when you no longer have mental capacity:        

●     health and welfare

●     property and financial affairs

A health and welfare LPA allows you to appoint someone to make decisions about your healthcare and welfare, when you are no longer able to. This can include decisions about  consenting to or refusing treatment on your behalf, as well as about where you live. This type of  LPA only comes into effect if you have lost mental capacity.

A property and financial affairs LPA allows you to choose someone to make decisions about how your property affairs are managed, and how your money should be spent. It may cover aspects such as:

●     buying and selling property

●     paying the mortgage

●     arranging repairs to property

●     investing money

●     paying bills

A financial LPA can come into effect while you still have mental capacity but just do not want to make all the decisions. Or you can specify it only comes into effect if you lose capacity.   

You may also have heard of the term Enduring Power of Attorney. These were replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney in 2007.

What About Next of Kin?

You may assume that if you lost mental capacity, your spouse would automatically have access to your bank account or pension, and be able to make decisions about your finances and healthcare. This is not the case - you would need a lasting power of attorney for them to 

be able to act.  

People often think being next of kin is enough. But while your next of kin may be asked about what they think your wishes about your care may have been, they wouldn’t have any specific legal rights to make such decisions.  

Without an LPA in place, they would have to go to The Court of Protection which can be expensive, time consuming and stressful. 

Next steps

If you want to be prepared and in control over who handles your affairs, consider putting an LPA in place now. This means your attorney will be ready to act on your behalf as soon as needed.  

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is responsible for registering powers of attorney. 

It costs £82 to register an LPA in England and Wales and £164 if you are registering both an LPA for property and financial affairs and one for health and welfare.          

You can download and complete the forms yourself or we are happy to take care of your application if you prefer.  

Call us on 0161 480 2629 or email enquiries@thehowepractice.co.uk and we can get the process started.    

Do you need a Grant of Probate?

A Grant of Probate is a legal document that gives you the authority to manage a person’s estate after they have died. It will help you to access bank accounts, sell assets, deal with property and settle debts. Once everything has been finalised, it also allows you to distribute the assets to the beneficiaries under the terms of the Will.   

If the person left a will, it’s called a Grant of Probate. If they didn’t, a Grant of Letters of Administration (or Grant of Representation) is used but both documents work in much the same way.

When do you need a Grant of Probate?

As the named executor of a Will, you will need to apply for a Grant of Probate if the person who died:

●      owned their own home and it was in their sole name

●      owned shares in their sole name

●      had over £20,000 in the bank (not a joint account)   

Probate is necessary to sell or transfer property and to deal with high-value assets. It’s important to note that it doesn’t depend on whether there’s a will or not but on the financial situation of the person who died.   

 You’re unlikely to need probate if the person: 

●      owned the house as joint tenants

●      kept their savings in a joint account

●      didn't own high value assets

●      had less than £20,000 in savings

In these cases, the property will simply transfer to the surviving owner. Most banks will also release up to £20,000 without probate. Do check with your own bank, however, as every bank is different.

How much does it cost to get a Grant of Probate?

Our probate specialists will take care of obtaining the Grant of Probate and can handle all the administration of the estate for you.     

• Legal Fees: £750 - £1,000 plus 20% VAT*

• Probate Application Fee: £273

• Copies of the Grant: £1.50 each

• Disbursements

• Payments to third parties such as HMRC on your behalf

*These legal fees would be based on the value of the assets being less than the nil rate band.

Currently, each individual gets a nil rate band of £325,000 which if you’re married or in a civil partnership passes to your surviving spouse, making a total of £650,000 before IHT is payable. Additionally, if you leave your family home to your children, they also become eligible for the Residence Nil rate band of £175000. This means the qualifying estate of a surviving spouse or civil partner can pass on up to £1 million without Inheritance Tax liability.[1] 

Let THP Support Your Probate Process

We’re here to explain all the Probate processes to you and provide you with free, initial guidance. Call us on 0161 480 2629 to talk to a member of our experienced team or email enquiries@thplaw.co.uk 

You end up out of pocket

As explained, being an Executor of a Will is not a paid job. Occasionally, the person who has died may have left you something in their will to cover your time, but if this has not happened, you can only claim direct out of pocket expenses.

Administering an estate, however, may take many hours. Expenses can soon mount up as you incur costs for petrol, telephone calls and lost holidays, not all of which are recoverable. It is imperative that you keep detailed, accurate records so that you can defend yourself if you are ever challenged.    

What’s more, if the beneficiaries receive less than they might have hoped for from the estate, you need to make sure that you do not feel under pressure to make up the difference from your own pocket.

Remember that if you instruct a solicitor, any professional costs for the time spent in administering the estate are deducted before the funds are distributed.

People sometimes think appointing a solicitor is an expensive option. However, when you weigh up the time and stress involved in doing the job yourself, you may feel it is money well spent to  get the estate resolved quickly, accurately and without any family friction.      

Professional charges must be seen to be fair and proportionate to the work involved as well as the size of the estate. In the past, it was customary for banks and other professionals acting as executors to charge a percentage of the value of the estate in fees. In some cases, these could add up to quite significant amounts and seem disproportionate to the amount of work undertaken.

Current practice is only to charge for time spent or a fixed fee. If you do appoint a professional executor, make sure they work in this way and let you know the fees upfront.  

What next?

You’re now aware of the risks and potential pitfalls in administering an estate and even more importantly how to avoid them.   

It’s for you to decide whether you think you have the time, knowledge and emotional stamina to carry out the role of executor yourself or if you would prefer to delegate some of your responsibilities. 

Even if it’s just some advice at the outset to set you on the right track, consulting a professional    can save you a lot of time, stress and hassle.

How can THP Law help you    

THP Law is a family firm of solicitors located in Stockport, Bollington and Macclesfield offering legal services in Conveyancing, Wills, LPA’s, Probate and Litigation. Our specialist Probate team has a wealth of experience in dealing with all aspects of the Administration of Estates.

We take a sensitive yet professional approach, focusing on alleviating the stress and worry for you. As part of this, we offer a free 30-minute Probate information session. This is your opportunity to ask whatever questions you may have.   

We will help you to understand:   

●      Your responsibilities as an executor for identifying the assets and liabilities of the estate

●      What it means to be accountable to the beneficiaries.

●      How to identify whether the deceased left a will and how to interpret the will .

●      What happens to the estate if the deceased did not leave a will.

●      Whether a grant of probate is required.

●      How any inheritance tax liability may be reduced

Our aim is to offer clear guidance and practical advice at every step. We strongly believe that the charges for Administering and Estate and dealing with Probate should be fair and proportionate with the time spent. This is why we don’t charge a percentage of the assets and are totally transparent about what our fees cover.

Let us help you to navigate the path of being an Executor by making the process as smooth and straightforward as possible.

Book your free 30-minute Probate information session now by calling 0161 480 2629 or emailing enquiries@thplaw.co.uk   

New Office Location

The Howe Practice Solicitors now known as THP Law are delighted to announce that we have officially expanded into Cheshire with the acquisition of A D Firth & Co in Bollington near Macclesfield.

A well-respected solicitor with over 40 years’ experience, Alan Firth joins THP Law as an expert in Conveyancing, Wills and Probate.

THP Law’s second office is located in the heart of Bollington and has enabled us to offer our comprehensive legal services to more clients in the Cheshire area.

It will work alongside our existing head office in Stockport to provide a variety of legal services to clients. Our highly trained and experienced legal team cover a wide array of legal areas including residential Conveyancing, Wills, Trusts and Estates, and  Dispute Resolution. Take a look at our break down of services to better see how our specially trained solicitors can assist you.

The firm is thrilled to be providing our specialist legal assistance to Bollington and the county of Cheshire. We look forward to our continued positive work in the area.

If you are local to Bollington or surrounding towns and villages and are in need of legal advice or services please arrange a meeting at our new office at

The Old Bank House

52/54 Palmerston Street
Bollington

Macclesfield

SK10 5PW

 Contact us to arrange on 0161 480 2629 or 01625 261 840.

We're hiring! Legal Secretary - Private Client

Job Specification

Role: Private Client Legal Secretary

Location: 2 Waterloo Court, Waterloo Road Stockport SK1 3DU

Hours: Full time; 9am – 5pm Mon-Friday

Salary: Dependent upon experience

Job Description:

The Howe Practice (THP Law) is based in Stockport and Bollington, and specialises in Wills, Probate LPAs, Residential Conveyancing and Commercial Litigation.

We are seeking an experienced legal secretary to join our busy Private Client department in Stockport. The role entails providing full secretarial support to two fee earners, diary management, booking appointments and liaising with clients, audio transcription, liaising with clients personally and handling all general Private Client based telephone queries and/or requests. All typing/correspondence and document work, alongside the preparation of all legal forms where required.

The Candidate

• At least three years’ experience in Private Client, Wills & Probate.

• Experience in

·         Preparing estate accounts

·         Drafting wills & codicils

·         Drafting LPAs

·         IHT forms

• Good technical knowledge with the ability to work unsupervised.

• Clear demonstrable ability and keenness to build and maintain client and referrer relationships.

• Excellent administration and organisational skills.

• Friendly and approachable - excellent team player.

• Digital audio transcription.

• Dog friendly

CVs with covering letter to:  Victoria.greenwood@thehowepractice.co.uk

Professional and Proactive - that's our conveyancing team. Another great review

“Extremely professional and proactive conveyancing service and very fairly priced. Throughout I genuinely felt that they were fighting for me to get the best from the selling process. They often emailed out of hours with news or reassurance. Highly recommended.”

Inheritance tax questions?

You can find out more information on inheritance tax on the UK Care Guide website by clicking here.

Protect your home - Stockport Fraud victim's £500k home put on market

In November 2016 an identity fraud victim in Stockport described the horror of discovering their £500,000 home up for sale on Rightmove without their involvement or knowledge.

After a police investigation, it was later discovered two men had stolen the homeowner's mail and forged his signature in order to falsify the documents needed to auction the house.  The two criminals have since been jailed for their part in the scam.

The scam worked by the fraudsters:

• stealing three utility bills from the mailbox
• falsify documents
• checking the owner had paid off their mortgage
• forging the owners signature, to transfer the deeds to the property into their own name.
• listing the property for auction in the hope it would sell quickly,

The property advert of the website featured several pictures of the property and was inviting bids starting at £300,000.  The details even included a request that the tenants were "not to be disturbed" so there was no need for estate agents to show people around.

The fraudsters knew that because the property was mortgage free they were able to transfer the deeds without needing the extra authority of the lender.

On this occasion, luckily the owner discovered the advert just three days before the auction was due to commence.  This case demonstrates fraudsters can use your identity details to highjack your identity and try to steal your home.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has successfully prevented 279 fraudulent applications being registered since 2009.  This number represents a saving in property value of more than £133.4 million.

Property fraud is extremely rare, but for the unlucky few, the effects can be devastating, time-consuming and extremely costly.  We urge the public to secure their mailboxes and employ measures to protect their identities.

You’re more at risk if:

• your identity’s been stolen
• you rent out your property
• you live overseas
• your property is empty
• your property is mortgage-free
• your property isn’t registered with HM Land Registry

Your property should be registered if you bought it or mortgaged it since 1998, contact your solicitor if you are unsure.

Be Proactive - Track changes to the register

You can sign up to get property alerts if someone applies to change the register of your property, for example, if someone tries to use your property for a mortgage. This won’t automatically block any changes to the register but will alert you when something changes so that you can act.

You can get alerts for up to 10 properties - there’s no fee.

We can help protect you by adding a restriction on your title

You can stop HM Land Registry registering a sale or mortgage on your property unless a conveyancer or solicitor certifies the application was made by you.  If any of the risk criteria above apply to you then contact us today to discuss how we can proactively protect your asset and home.