The breakdown of a relationship can be a hugely stressful time. Couples who have already been experiencing marital tensions, may have found the past few months particularly difficult – with the effects of the lockdown and financial worries adding to an already difficult situation.

However, the practical considerations involved in divorce are much more difficult at the moment.

The property market has received a welcome boost this month, after Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday on homes costing up to half a million pounds.

The tax relief, which aims to boost the property market and help buyers struggling because of the coronavirus crisis, is expected to lead to a surge in buyers and sellers looking to complete their purchase before the temporary window closes on 31 March 2021.

Mander Hadley Solicitors took part in The Myton Hospices’ Make a Will Week in March. It has now been confirmed that we raised a total of £1,850 to help the charity’s work in the region supporting people with life-limiting conditions or who need end-of-life care.

The annual initiative sees Mander Hadley waive its fee for Will writing services for eligible clients who, in turn, make a donation to The Myton Hospices.

The number of people giving to charity in their Will may rise over the next five years, despite experts predicting that legacy income would fall as a result of the pandemic.

The new estimates come after analyst Legacy Foresight predicted that legacy income would decrease by between eight and 27 per cent in 2020, with the average value of residuary bequests also set to decline by four per cent.

Working arrangements across many workplaces have been transformed beyond all recognition by the coronavirus pandemic, with vastly more employees working from home than ever before.

Amanda Hyam, a Senior Associate with Mander Hadley, who specialises in employment law, said: “Some employers have found home working and other flexible arrangements to be surprisingly successful, with employees either maintaining their productivity levels or even increasing their productivity.

The ban on evictions in England and Wales, originally introduced in March, will now be extended for a further two months.

The Government’s latest extension to the eviction moratorium means that landlords will be unable to commence a claim in the Courts for possession before 23 August 2020.