Personal News

Government plans to raise the proposed lifetime cap on care fee contributions by the elderly to £60,000 have been met with a storm of protest, but those who wish to provide for care in retirement are being encouraged to take steps to protect their assets now.

The housing market is sluggish, prices static, and more people are staying put and renovating or extending. But homeowners wanting to protect their property value should also invest time in checking out their boundaries and making sure they don’t have squatters.

The GD Private Client team has released a new Diamond Client focus and Personal and Family Focus which are now available to download.

Giselle Williams, a solicitor in our Dispute Resolution team, acts as her mother’s attorney. Below she provides a moving account of some of the issues she has faced and offers some helpful advice for readers who may find themselves in a similar position.

Audrey, a client rang. “Could I give Jean, a friend of hers, some advice about making a Will?”. Jean was housebound and lived in South Cheshire. “No problem” the solicitor said. We regularly call on clients by prior appointment, particularly if they have difficulty getting about.

We are delighted to welcome Patricia C Byron to our next Diamond Client event in February. Patricia is a local writer, broadcaster and author of the highly acclaimed book “Last Orders”.

As Russell Brand and Katy Perry go their separate ways after just one year of marriage, Russell stands to gain an estimated £20m of Katy’s fortune. Reports suggest that Russell and Katy did not sign a prenuptial agreement (prenup) so under Californian Law Katy will have to part with her hard earned cash to achieve a 50:50 split of their wealth.

Is such a thing possible? The answer is yes – through ‘Collaborative Law’.

Following a new law that came into force in October 2011 changes are beginning to take place in the legal market. From 2012 supermarkets and other organisations will be able to provide certain legal services. You may have already noticed a “legal access point” in your local WH Smith PLC or heard that your bank or supermarket is planning to offer legal services.

Some of the most common questions we are asked about family law, such as: “Don’t we just split our assets 50:50?”; “What do I do if I am not sure that I am getting the right legal advice?”; “What will happen if I sign a prenup?”; and “What claims do I have if I live with someone?” are answered in the FAQs below.