……and we’re surrounded by all the tell-tale signs of romance  – but there’s a serious side.  If you are thinking of taking the next step with that one special person let us help you with those arrangements.  We can advise you on how to take that daring step of getting your first home together – whether that be your first tenancy agreement or in helping you buy your first house.

We can help you decide on how you will live together by drawing up an agreement  -  not like a celebrity pre-nup but something that will protect you from whatever might happen to your relationship in the future.

Talk to us – we can help you make those special times really matter.

The question is however, is this going to really change the law? The position at present is that there is a very strong presumption towards contact. The Court believes that a child will grow up more secure, confident and stable if the child has a good relationship with both parents. The needs of the child are paramount and unless a parent does pose a risk then contact is most likely going to be in the best interest of a child. Problems often arise when there have been absences of contact, traumatic events and simply trying to arrange contact to balance the relationship with the absent parent, siblings and the resident parent alongside the child’s other needs and commitments.

What is clear is that whatever will be proposed is likely to fall short of the expectations of campaign groups. If, however this focuses parents’ understanding of how the Court addresses contact now, and should address contact in the future, with the child’s needs being at the very forefront of everyone’s minds then this can only be a positive outcome. If you need specialist advice in this area, please contact our family department on 0161 442 6240 and ask to speak to Matthew Lee.

Transactions with an effective completion date of 25 March 2012 or later cannot benefit from SDLT relief, irrespective of the date of any contract or agreement.

For more information  please call Clare on 0161 442 6240 or email clare@twpsolicitors.co.uk

* http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sdlt/calculate/reliefs-exemptions.htm#15

merry Christmas and we look forward to speaking to you

again in the New Year.  Enjoy!

We are looking for a experienced Legal Secretary who will work full time in our busy Family and Wills and Probate Departments.  Experience of working with either Family or Wills and Probate files essential.  Please apply in writing with a CV to Shirley Hope on email shirley@twpsolicitors.co.uk

However, please note that the first session will be held on 11 January 2011.   No appointments are necessary.

Each month is dedicated to a particular area of law so that you can come along to ask for advice on that area.  However, if your legal issue does not fall within the month’s designated area of expertise, please still contact us – we are still very happy to help.

In January, our family Solicitor Alison Cameron, will be on hand to give you the opportunity to discuss your concerns such as child related matters,

financial and maintenance issues, pre-nuptial and post nuptial agreements, separation and divorce.

February is designated to Wills, so if making or reviewing your Will was on your New Year’s resolution list, please come along and speak to Paul Collingwood who is our Solicitor specialising in Trusts, Wills, Probate, and Powers of Attorney.

Then in March, Clare Butcher, who is our Property Partner, will be on hand to offer you practical guidance on selling your property and/or purchasing a property – just in time for Spring!

Also coming up in 2012 ………………. Commercial Property, Dispute Resolution, and many more topical areas.

Please keep reviewing our website for more details as further details will be coming.

Many people make a Will to ensure that their estate passes to those people who they wish to benefit on their death, however a Will only dictates what happens on death.  It is equally important to consider who you would like to appoint to make decisions in relation to your property and financial affairs (for example, your house, your bank accounts, and your investments) and/or health and welfare (for example, where you live, who visits you, and other welfare based decisions) whilst you are still alive, but are unable to make such decisions yourself due to a loss of mental capacity.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for property and financial affairs and/or health and welfare are ways of ensuring that the person(s) who you chose to make the above decisions for you, if for example, you sadly suffer from a lack of capacity, have the necessary authority to be able to make the important day to day decisions making it easier for those caring for you.  This is to avoid problems that can arise if the necessary authority is not in place, for instance, paying household bills or care home fees.

LPAs must be signed whilst you have the required mental capacity to make these documents so preparation is key to avoid costly alternatives.

To discuss LPAs in more detail, please contact Paul Collingwood who is our specialist Solicitor in this area of the law on 0161 442 6240.

It was a fantastic night with great food and company.

For more information please feel free to browse the 4HTA website http://www.fourheatons.co.uk/?q=node/1006

The myth of the common law husband or wife remains within the public however this is misconception. Now it will be even more important to obtain specialist legal advice in relation to this changing area of the law.  If you require specialist advice please call Alison at TWP solicitors on 1061 442 6240 .

For more information regarding this topic please link to the following judgment through Jordans family law:

http://www.familylaw.co.uk/system/uploads/attachments/0003/5011/UKSC_2010_0130_Judgment.pdf

In the Court of Appeal case of Bottomley v Todmorden Cricket Club in which we represented Michael Bottomley who was injured in a firework display held by the club on their ground, what was clear was that members had not considered this when they planned the event. In that case the club hired an organisation to put on the display. That organisation was not insured. The court decided that it was negligent of the club not to check the organisation were insured. Therefore any claim for compensation for injuries was to be met by the cricket club. The crucial message for club members is to take expert advice if they are arranging an event that is outside their expertise – ie a firework display, and to check that their own insurance covers them for any claims that arise out of a firework display for example, rather than cricket or rugby matches. It may well not do, and if it does not then each member will be personally liable. While that would not take away the tragedies that happen, it would provide some assistance for victims, and highlight that tragedies may be avoided by careful and expert planning.

If you wish to discuss this issue further with us please contact Matt Lee on 0161 442 6240.