When it comes to cancelling your Will, there are two straightforward methods: Writing a New Will: One of the simplest ways to cancel your existing Will is by creating a new one. By making a new will, you have the opportunity to update your wishes, beneficiaries, and any other details. When you create a new...
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is an important legal protection that allows individuals to nominate someone to make decisions on their behalf should they become unable to do so themselves (in other words, if they lose mental capacity). There are two main types of LPAs, each giving specific protections: Health and Welfare LPA: This type...
Mirror Wills offer a simple and effective solution for couples who want to mirror each other’s intentions regarding inheritance. Let’s consider an example: Chris and Leanne wish to ensure that if one of them passes away, the other will inherit everything. In addition, they want to plan for the unlikely event that they both pass...
“My ex-partner and I cannot reach agreement about child arrangements. What can I do? Solicitor involvement at an early stage can often help. A letter from a solicitor can often get things moving towards a resolution. We recommend also that the letter actually includes some proposals relating to child arrangement and an offer to attend...
“What happens if child care arrangements cannot be reached, even after informal conversations and mediation?” The last resort is to apply to the Court and ask the Court to make an Order which decides and organises child arrangements. Child Arrangement Orders can confirm: • Where a Child will live • Whether there is shared care...
A key aspect of Child Law is often Child Maintenance: the financial amount the parent the child / children doesn’t live with will contribute to their upbringing. The best place to start for identifying how much Child Maintenance you’ll either receive or pay (depending on the arrangement circumstances) can be found online: www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance This government...
Typically, Child Care Arrangements mainly focus on 3 things (although they can include much more): Who will the Child / Children live with? Who will be able to see the Child / Children (in other words visitation)? How often and where will visitation happen? This article was written by Jeff Garland, a specialist solicitor in...
Legal Aid is the use of public money to help pay for legal advice, family mediation and court representation. In order to receive Legal Aid in nearly all Divorce and Child Law cases, you need to be financially eligible. The government website can help you find out if you can receive legal aid: www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid As...
If agreement cannot be reached between the divorcing partners directly or via mediation, then court action can be started by either. The process involves both partners submitting a great deal of information about their financial position and supporting documentary evidence. The court process can be quite difficult and lengthy and can involve completing various documents...
Another question we often get is: “Do I need a Court document to rubber-stamp any agreement I reach with my partner?” If a financial agreement is reached between a couple, either with or without mediation, then normally that agreement is prepared as a draft Court Order by a solicitor (and not the mediator). Once the...
