Inheritance Tax Planning

Inheritance Tax is currently payable by your estate at the rate of 40% on anything above the nil rate band. It can have a large impact on larger estates, especially with the relative increase in value of the family home in recent years.

There are various ways that the effect of this tax on your eventual estate can be mitigated, either through Lifetime or Will planning.

Each case is different and we can provide bespoke advice for your particular circumstances and the tax reliefs available.

Please contact David Bawn in Newcastle or Derwent Gibson or Michael Macgregor in Hexham.

What is a Notary Public?

A Notary Public is an experienced and knowledgeable individual, often a solicitor, who is formally appointed by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He or she can be relied on to see that business and legal documents are signed and witnessed properly and in accordance with the requirements of the country concerned.

A Notary acts as an impartial and professional witness to certify the signature of documents required for use, mainly abroad.

Notarial requirements about signature and certification of documents vary from country to country.

A Notary's job includes:

• Witnessing the signature of documents
• Authenticating the signature of documents
• Authenticating the content of documents and facts recited
• Administration of oaths and declarations
• Powers of attorney, corporate records, contracts
• Verifying (via translator) translations of documents into English and from English
• The provision of notarised copies of documents
• ‘Legalisation’ via Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and foreign embassies/consulates

The work of a notary

In England and Wales, Notaries are largely concerned with the verification of documents and information that will be used in other countries in the world, for clients who have business or property overseas, or who are involved in litigation in foreign courts.

Notaries form an independent branch of the legal profession, although most are solicitors. Their practice as Notaries is quite separate from their practice of any other profession or business, and is not controlled by the rules affecting solicitors.

While Notaries have the powers of a Commissioner for Oaths, the work that they do is mainly concerned with foreign matters and their procedures are entirely different.

Please contact James Bowyer in Newcastle or visit www.notary-public.org.uk