Anderson Browne Solicitors

28/10/2026

The Government has recently consulted on new legal rights for unmarried couples. If you live with a partner but are not married, this is worth knowing about.

Right now, if your partner dies without a will, you have no automatic right to inherit anything, regardless of how long you have been together. If you separate, there is no equivalent of divorce law to divide your finances or property.

The consultation considered proposals that could change this, including giving qualifying cohabiting partners greater inheritance rights when someone dies without a will, alongside stronger financial rights if a relationship ends. The Government is now considering the responses before deciding whether to introduce any legislation.

But here is the important part: these were proposals, not changes to the law. At the time of writing, no new legislation has been introduced and the current legal position remains the same.

That means the best protection available to unmarried couples is still to put the right legal documents in place. A professionally drafted will and, where appropriate, a cohabitation agreement can provide certainty and help avoid unnecessary disputes in the future.

If you are living with a partner and would like to understand your current legal position, or put the right protections in place, we can advise you.

30/09/2026

A simple Will lets you clearly state who inherits your estate and name the people you trust to carry out your wishes. I

t’s a straightforward legal document that makes sure your loved ones are not left with unnecessary uncertainty.

23/09/2026

It was a lovely day for .collective walk and talk in Newhall. Thanks ladies. See you at the next one.

23/09/2026

If you employ people, there is a change coming in January 2027 that is worth preparing for now.

Currently, an employee needs two years of continuous service before they can bring an unfair dismissal claim. From 1 January 2027, that qualifying period drops to six months.

That means anyone you hire on or before 1 July 2026 will already qualify for unfair dismissal protection on the day the change takes effect.

At the same time, the cap on unfair dismissal compensation is being removed. Tribunals will be able to award unlimited compensation based on actual loss of earnings.

This does not mean you cannot dismiss employees. It means having proper processes in place and following them: a fair reason, a fair procedure, and proper documentation.

If you have not reviewed your employment contracts or dismissal procedures recently, now is the time to do it.

Feel free to get in touch.

21/09/2026

We completed an asset purchase a week ago, and I arrived at the office on Friday to find this wonderful surprise. I am Grateful for the trust placed in me, and for these flowers that made me smile after a busy week.

❤️

15/09/2026

09/09/2026

AI tools can do a lot. But there are some things they genuinely cannot do for you.

When it comes to legal matters, the difference between general information and actual legal advice can be significant- and costly.

AI can draft ideas and answer general questions. It can also confidently give you information that is completely wrong. (That is called a hallucination- when AI invents or fabricates details and presents them as fact.)

A solicitor gives you advice that is accurate, accountable, and tailored to your specific circumstances. It is regulated, insured, and legally valid.

If you have been using AI to research a legal question, it is worth getting a second opinion from someone who is actually qualified to advise you.

02/09/2026

There is always one task that follows you around.

For a lot of people, it is writing a will. It sits on the list. It moves to next month. Then next year. And all the while, the people you want to protect are left without anything in writing.

The good news? It does not have to be complicated. A simple will can be put in place quickly, and once it is done, it is done.

If writing a will has been on your mind, we are here to help you finally tick it off. Contact us today for a quick and easy to understand service.

26/08/2026

If you are not married, your partner has no automatic right to inherit anything from you.

It does not matter how long you have been together, or whether you own a home together, share finances, or have children etc. Under the intestacy rules, when someone dies without a Will, an unmarried partner is not recognised as a beneficiary.

Everything pass to your closest blood relatives in the order detailed in the rules. In some cases, that could mean a family member that you dislike, a distant relative, or even the Crown getting everything you worked hard for.

This is one of the most common and most painful misconceptions we come across. People assume that a long-term relationship carries legal weight, but in the eyes of the law, it does not.

The only way to protect your partner is to put a valid Will in place. It does not have to be complicated, but it does need to be done properly.

If you are in a long-term relationship and do not have a Will. Get in touch, and we can help you get this in place quickly and efficiently.

19/08/2026

Travelling this summer? Make sure your documents are in order before you go.

From visa applications, travel consent for children, overseas property transactions, to international financial processes, you will require certified copies of your ID or key documents. A certified copy is one verified by a solicitor or other qualified professional as a true likeness of the original.

Certified copies are accepted by government bodies, financial institutions, and international authorities.

It is a straightforward process, but it needs to be done properly. The wrong certification, or one from an unqualified person, can cause delays or rejections resulting in wasted time and money.

We provide document certification and witnessing services in Bishop's Stortford, with short notice appointments available. If you require certified documents before you travel, call for a quick appointment.