Client Appreciation for Our Dedicated Trainees

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At Passmores, we pride ourselves on delivering excellent outcomes for our clients and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way. This week, we were delighted to see that our commitment to client care has not gone unnoticed.

Our trainees, Elin and Emily, have each received thoughtful gifts and heartfelt thank you cards from clients they recently assisted—an encouraging reminder of the impact their hard work has made.

Elin successfully completed a property purchase for one of our conveyancing clients, ensuring a smooth and stress-free process throughout what can often be a complex transaction. Her attention to detail and proactive communication helped make the experience a positive one, culminating in a happy client who felt truly looked after.

Meanwhile, Emily played a crucial role in helping a vulnerable client obtain a non-molestation order. Her professionalism, empathy, and dedication to securing the right outcome provided much-needed reassurance during an emotionally difficult time.

At Passmores, we are passionate about supporting our clients through all stages of their legal journey. We measure our success not just by the results we achieve, but by the trust and satisfaction we build along the way. It’s always rewarding to see our values reflected in the gratitude of those we serve.

Well done to Elin and Emily—your efforts exemplify the standard of care and excellence we strive for every day.

     

Congratulations to Emily and Elin!

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We are delighted to congratulate our Trainee Solicitors, Emily and Elin, who attended their graduation ceremony at Cardiff University yesterday.

Both Emily and Elin are approaching the completion of their Training Contracts in the coming weeks, and we are pleased to announce that they will be continuing their careers with us as Newly Qualified Solicitors.

We are proud of their achievements and look forward to supporting them in the next stage of their professional journey.

Thinking of Changing Your Name? Here’s What You Need to Know

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There are many reasons why someone might choose to change their forename or surname in the UK—marriage, divorce, gender transition, personal preference, or aligning with cultural identity, to name just a few.

The legal process is relatively straightforward. Adults in the UK can change their name by executing a Change of Name Deed (commonly referred to as a ‘Deed Poll’). This legally recognised document can be used to update passports, driving licences, bank records, and more.

Children under 16 can also have their name changed, but this must be arranged by someone with parental responsibility. Crucially, written consent is required from all individuals with parental responsibility before a child’s name can be legally changed.

Young people aged 16 or over have the autonomy to change their name by deed independently—without needing the consent of those who hold parental responsibility.

At Passmores, we offer a fixed fee Change of Name Deed service for £70 + VAT, available by appointment. We ensure the process is simple, compliant, and handled with care.

If you or someone you know is considering a name change, feel free to get in touch to discuss your options.

Inheritance Tax Rules for Pensions Are Changing in 2027 – What You Need to Know

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If you’re thinking about what will happen to your assets after you pass away, it’s important to be aware of a major upcoming change in how pensions are treated for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes.

Currently, pensions usually fall outside of your estate for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes, and beneficiaries can often inherit these funds tax-free. However, from 6 April 2027, this is set to change: most unused pension funds and certain lump sum death benefits will be treated as part of your estate on death. This marks a significant shift in the law and could result in those pension assets becoming subject to IHT, depending on the overall value of your estate.

What’s Changing?

At the moment, pensions are often used as a tax-efficient way to pass wealth to the next generation. But from 2027, most unused pension funds (and certain lump sum death benefits) will form part of your estate for IHT purposes. That means:

  • If your estate exceeds the IHT threshold (currently £325,000 for most individuals), this could mean that your pension may now be subject to an inheritance tax charge at 40% (after any allowances are used).
  • This applies even though you’ve already paid into your pension from taxed income.
  • Spouses and civil partners will still benefit from the usual IHT exemptions.
  • In some cases, both IHT and income tax may apply — especially for non-spousal beneficiaries. This could potentially lead to a combined tax charge of up to 60-70%.

Why the Change?

The government has said that the current rules create an imbalance, allowing pensions to be used more for estate planning than retirement income. These changes aim to bring pension pots more in line with the way other assets are taxed on death.

Who Does This Affect?

This change is likely to affect individuals with defined contribution pension schemes, especially those who have accumulated sizeable pension savings and are planning to leave them untouched for beneficiaries. It may also impact those with estates already close to or exceeding the IHT threshold, and anyone intending to leave their pension to non-spousal beneficiaries, such as adult children or other relatives.

What Can You Do Now?

Although these changes won’t take effect until 2027, it’s important to start thinking ahead:

  1. Check your pension nominations – are they up to date? Do they reflect your wishes?
  2. Consider drawing down funds from your pension during your lifetime – Taking benefits during your lifetime could reduce the IHT exposure of your estate.
  3. Speak to a regulated financial adviser – They can help assess how this change may affect your broader financial and retirement planning.

As solicitors preparing Wills, we often remind clients that while a Will covers most assets, pensions are usually governed by separate nomination forms and don’t automatically follow your Will unless specific arrangements are made.

 

Written by Elin Jones, Trainee Solicitor (ej@passmores.com)