Mrs. A, a previous client of Oliver & Co, recently contacted our office. We had assisted her with her home purchase back in 1999 when we were located on Watergate Street. She informed us that her brother had sadly passed away, and while discussing his estate with her sister-in-law, she found herself in a position to offer advice. Mrs. A’s sister-in-law was relying on her because Mrs. A had lost her husband five years ago and was familiar with handling such matters.
During their conversation, Mrs. A’s sister-in-law inquired about the ownership of Mrs. A’s residential property after her husband’s death. This question caused significant concern for Mrs. A, as she was unsure about the legal implications of her husband’s passing on her home.
Adam Hazell, an Apprentice Solicitor in our Wills & Probate Department, takes up the story. “Mrs. A called our office and explained her situation. She had been researching property ownership and had become increasingly confused and concerned. Mrs. A mentioned that she had all the paperwork from her home purchase and wanted clarification. However, she felt a little overwhelmed by the questions I needed to ask to understand her documents.”
Sensing her stress, Adam invited Mrs. A to visit our office to review the documents together. He assured her that they would reach a clear conclusion during her visit. The next day, Mrs. A came to the office with her documentation. Within five minutes of reviewing her title register, Adam was able to reassure her. He found that there was no Form A restriction on the title, indicating the house was held as joint tenants, meaning Mr. A’s share had automatically passed to Mrs. A upon his death.
Grateful for the assistance, Mrs. A attempted to offer Adam a gift of money for his time, which he politely refused, expressing that it was a pleasure to help and to put her mind at ease. A few minutes later, one of our reception team brought in a bag full of biscuits and treats. Mrs. A had been so appreciative of Adam’s help and impressed with our service that she felt compelled to leave a small gift to show her gratitude.
