transfer of properties

[chrissie]

Please could someone help. My Mother bought a house in August 2003. I bought a bungalow in November 2003. In January my Mother became ill and it is more suitable for her to live in the bungalow. The solicitor almost completed the transfer (it has taken them since April 2004!) and suddenly told me that the stamp duty would not be £2,300 each but would be £6,900 each because it is a linked transaction (Mother/Daughter). This is a shock and we do not have the cash to complete the deal if it is correct information. Any advice would be gratefully accepted.