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The New Forest — Estate Planning

Severance of Tenancy in The New Forest

New Forest properties are often significant assets, making it crucial to ensure your share is properly protected. Severing a joint tenancy is a simple but powerful step in safeguarding your family's inheritance.

About Severance of Tenancy

If you own property jointly with another person — typically your spouse or partner — you probably hold it as "joint tenants." This means that when one owner dies, the property automatically passes to the surviving owner, regardless of what your Will says. Severance of Tenancy changes your ownership to "tenants in common," meaning each person owns a defined share (usually 50%) that can be dealt with independently in their Will. This is a critical step in estate planning because it allows you to protect your share of the property in a trust, ensuring it ultimately passes to your chosen beneficiaries — such as your children — rather than being at risk from care fees, remarriage, or other claims against the surviving owner.

What's Included

  • Assessment of your current property ownership structure
  • Preparation and serving of the Notice of Severance
  • Notification to HM Land Registry to update the title register
  • Updated ownership documentation for your records
  • Integration with your Will and any Trust arrangements
  • Clear explanation of how tenants in common works and what it means for you

Pricing

Severance of Tenancy from £149 | Often included in Trust packages

Why Choose Barrett-Smith & Doulton for Severance of Tenancy in The New Forest?

We advise New Forest homeowners on property protection as part of comprehensive estate planning. Whether your home is a village cottage or a property with land, the principle is the same.

Free

Home Consultation

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Expert Planners

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How It Works

We review your ownership at the Land Registry, explain the implications, and handle the entire severance process without you needing to leave your home.

1

Book a free consultation

2

We visit you at home

3

We prepare your documents

4

Review, sign & relax

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Severance of tenancy applies to all jointly-owned property, including houses with land, paddocks, or woodland. The more valuable the property, the more important protection becomes.
Yes — if you own multiple properties, you can choose to sever the tenancy on some while leaving others as joint tenants. We will advise on the best approach for your situation.
Severance itself does not change your tax position, but it enables you to set up trusts that may have Inheritance Tax benefits. We can explain the full picture during your consultation.

Get Started with Severance of Tenancy in The New Forest

Book your free, no-obligation consultation today. We will visit you at home in The New Forest or connect by video call.