SHARE US 
0800 614 722
FROM A MOBILE: 0333 321 2192
REQUEST A CALLBACK
SEND US AN EMAIL
Taking the decision to separate from your spouse is always difficult. Friends and family will offer invaluable advice but the tough decisions will still be down to you. Can I get a divorce? To be able divorce your spouse, you must have been married f...
You may already have a good idea of what you would want to put in your Will such as who will organise things and who you want to leave your money or property to, but you may not be aware that there are many other things that you can specifically incl...
A separation is difficult, regardless of whether you are married or not. But, the steps you need to take will depend on whether you are married or cohabiting. What to do if you’re married? If you want to end your marriage, you are likely to seek a di...
Online estate agents Housesimple, looked into the latest Land Registry data on “second steppers.” This is the group of people who are looking to make their second move on the property ladder. Housesimple discovered that buyers would need an average o...
Inevitably, some drivers will be careless and collisions are therefore an unfortunate fact of life. Pedestrians are amongst the most vulnerable of all road users and the injuries they suffer are usually life changing and often fatal. Unlike the drive...
We understand that most people don’t want to think too far into the future, and especially about what would happen if you were no longer around. However, it is important to think about it, have conversations around it, and to have a plan. Putting a W...
Many injuries aren’t eligible for compensation – but if the incident was someone else’s fault then you could have a personal injury claim on your hands. The most common claims come from injuries sustained in road traffic collisions and public l...
As it stands, in order to divorce, unless the parties have been separated for at least two years, one spouse has to allege adultery, cite unreasonable behaviour or desertion to begin divorce proceedings. This can further strain the relationship as bl...
You are likely going to experience a lot of different emotions when going through a divorce. Divorce in itself is an unpleasant experience, and if you didn’t see it coming, or are unprepared, then it can knock you for six. What should I do next? It i...
The average UK property takes 102 days to find a buyer, according to official stats from the Post Office. At 65 days on average per property, the fastest-selling area at the moment is the West Midlands, with Redditch, in particular, boasting a 45-day...
An estimated 370,300 moved home last year – and that doesn’t include first-time buyers! But how did all those people manage to find their ideal property? Here are five tips and tricks for searching on Rightmove you might not know about… D...
Equity release plans have now “entered the mainstream,” according to The Equity Release Council Spring 2019 Market Report. The latest data shows that 43,879 homeowners aged 55 and over unlocked money from the value of their properties – this in...
Family law is often used as an umbrella term. But what exactly is family law and what does it cover? If you have something going on in your life you may be asking yourself, do I need a family lawyer, will they be able to help me? Here we cover what f...
A social media celebrity with over 60 million views was the guest speaker at this month’s Dementia Action Alliance meeting, as it launched its new Living Well Guide. The South Ribble Dementia Action Alliance (SRDAA) met last week to hear from Simon M...
Last year the average deposit put down by first-time buyers was £32,841 and the average price paid for a property was around the £210,000 mark. The most affordable area when it comes to house price and average earnings is Pendle in the North West....
What does a family law specialist do? A family lawyer is a trained legal expert who is able to assist with a variety of different legal matters that might affect you at some point in your life. Family lawyers predominantly help with: Divorce, separat...
At the last estimate, there were over 4.2 million leasehold properties in the UK, with flats accounting for over two-thirds of this. But how do you know it’s the right time for you and other leaseholders in your building to buy the freehold of the bu...
We all love our fluffy friends. Dogs are ‘a man’s best friend’ and cats make a house a home. They are a part of our family, and as such, many people choose to leave money in their will in order to look after them in the future. So just how rich are s...
It is always a good idea to have a lasting power of attorney (LPA) in place, as we never know what the future has in store. Whether you’re 22 or 92, it offers peace of mind to yourself and your loved ones, as you will be safe in the knowledge that yo...
Employees who spend time working alone in the community are being offered advice on staying safe at an event being held in Lancaster next month. The event is aimed at healthcare professionals, care workers, estate agents, legal and finance profession...
What is child maintenance? Child maintenance helps with providing for your child and their everyday living costs. Child maintenance is ordinarily paid from the non resident parent to the parent the child lives with. However, if both parents share the...
There were almost 1.4 million estimated cases of violent assault in England and Wales, according to latest numbers from the Office of National Statistics. Unfortunately, this figure hasn’t changed in the last three years and doesn’t include unreporte...
You may think that once you have written a will, that’s it, job done. However, as you go through life and things change, your wishes and what you’ve put in your will are likely to change along with them. Changes that may alter the wishes that you put...
At present, up to £340,000 equity per home is tied up in homes owned by people aged 55 and over. Equity release can be an effective way to unlock cash from your home. Of course, you should always consider your options carefully, so here’s our mini gu...
If you are about to seek a divorce, it is likely you might have some questions about what actually happens and how long the process is. It can be daunting entering into the divorce process, but our team of family law professionals will help guide you...
There are over 1 million people in the UK living with a long-term or permanent brain injury. This includes individuals with acquired brain injuries since birth and those with traumatic brain injuries caused by an accident, infection, tumour, stroke o...
Rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, and vandalism are some of the worries and potential problems a landlord may have concerns about when choosing their tenants. In fact, 47% of landlords have reported to have had issues with tenants not paying the r...
If you die without making a Will, it is possible that those you care most about will not benefit from your estate after your death. Similarly, if a family member dies without making a will, then you may not inherit from their estate. Dying without a...
The average house price in England was £247,886, according to the latest available data from the official UK House Price Index. If you want to maximise the value of your property, there are several ways you can achieve this. From the smaller fixes if...
In 2016-2017 Headway UK analysed that every 90 seconds someone in the UK was being admitted to hospital for an acquired brain injury (ABI) and every three minutes someone was admitted to hospital with a head injury. Whilst not every one of these was...
Divorce undoubtedly changes your family dynamic. However, with planning and consideration on how best to move forward with your family this can help to minimise any disturbance and focus on enjoying your life in the future. There is inevitably goin...
The answer to this question is yes – provided you think your injury might have been caused by somebody else. That might be due to them doing something dangerous (for example, causing a vehicle crash). It might be due to them failing to do somet...
If you find yourselves facing financial hardship, or disagreements concerning money start to arise, it can trigger family issues. How much money you have, how you’re spending your money and debt are all important areas that can impact on a relationsh...
How severe the injury is does not make it more likely that you will be entitled to compensation but it will dictate how much compensation you receive if your claim succeeds. If you believe someone has done something which caused your injury (or fail...
So you’re not married, but you’ve lived together for years. You want to know where you stand. So where exactly do you stand? Is there such a thing as a common law wife or common law husband? The short answer is no, there’s not. This catches a lot of...
In short, yes you can! Unfortunately, there are an estimated 1 million uninsured drivers on Britain’s roads. However, the good news is, in most instances where you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver you are able to obtain compensati...
Japanese knotweed, the fast-growing bamboo-like plant that can break through concrete, is predicted to subside over the next two decades. The plant can cut up to 20% off of the value of a property and be a reason for lenders to decline mortgage appli...
Pre-nups might seem unromantic, but are they important to have? Of course, we would never enter into a marriage without thinking it was going to last forever, but do you need a safety net just in case? We take a look at prenuptial agreements,...
If you’re house hunting, especially if you’re looking to buy your own flat, you may have noticed there’s a section called “Tenure.” This is where you’ll find out if a property is being sold under leasehold or freehold terms. So, what’s the difference...
There’s a good chance you will be familiar with prenups, what they are and why it is a good idea to get one. But are you aware of postnups? A postnuptial agreement is very similar to a prenuptial agreement, the only exception is that it is put into p...
Owning your own home is a popular life milestone. But it can be tricky figuring out just how to get on the property ladder in the first place – especially when 52% of prospective first-time buyers struggle with all the financial jargon such as...
Even a minor injury can develop into something more serious if it is not looked after properly and treated carefully. It is important not to dismiss on-going discomfort, pain or restricted movement based on the fact that the injury is small or doesn’...
It might seem like a difficult topic to broach, but talking to your children about your lasting power of attorney is essential. What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document that details who will make important decisi...
If you’re ready to take your first step on the property ladder and become a homeowner, there are a few factors you need to take into account. From assessing your finances to making a successful offer, here are some of our best tips and advice for fir...
Zoopla revealed that the average price paid for property in England and Wales was £310,757 in January 2019! But what does this mean for you? From London to Sunderland, here’s exactly what you can get for around the £310,000 mark in England at the mom...
You may have heard a lot about Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPA), but have you considered making a Financial one? There are two different types of Lasting Power of Attorneys, Health and Welfare and Property and Financial affairs. ...
A new job, being closer to family, upsizing or even downsizing…there are so many reasons why people move house. In fact, the average British homeowner moves home every 23 years, according to the latest research by Zoopla. You may have found you...
In the last decade hospital admissions for dog attacks rose by 76%, according to figures released by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee. RSPCA figures show that 37 people have been killed by dogs between 1991 and 2016, 28 of which were...
We had a great catch up with Serious Injury Solicitor Antonia Riley from our Manchester office – and we thought you would like to hear about why she chose law as a career and her fantastic taste in films… What inspired you to work in law?...
It is only natural for a person to take an injury more seriously if they can see its impact, but sight alone is not always a good indication of severity. While injuries involving blood and bruising can obviously be serious, there are plenty of exampl...
We regularly see that delays in medical tests, diagnosis and treatment can have life-changing consequences for a patient. In most cases these delays are simply part of normal medical processes and unavoidable. However, on rare occasions the delays ar...
You may not have even heard of cohabitation agreements before. But if you are living with or thinking of moving in with your partner, maybe to take your relationship to the next stage or to test the waters before you take the plunge and get married,...
What makes for a long and happy marriage? It is perhaps one of the biggest questions in life that doesn’t actually have a clear answer. Most people before their wedding day will try and seek wisdom from those who have been married for decades. How do...
Violent crimes accounted for 1.2 million incidents, according to the latest data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (2017). In many cases, the victim may not know their attacker or, for whatever reason, no one was ever convicted of a crime....
A local family lawyer is campaigning for a change in the law to reduce the fallout from divorce on children, after figures released today revealed the impact of conflict between separating parents. In a new poll, 79% of the population agreed conflict...
Jenna Hogan, trainee solicitor at the Preston office of Birchall Blackburn Law shares the most recent updates on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and a new route into qualifying from the traditional training contract route: Like most Trainee Solicitors...
Going through medical treatment in hospital is no picnic, but the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) still invited teddy bears to their wards to help children understand and cope with medical procedures. A member of staff, Sue Phillips, r...
When a relationship breaks down that involves children, conflicts can arise about who the child or children will live with and spend time. If you’re unable to come to an agreement, then a Child Arrangements Order is usually sought. This order determi...
Blue Monday is here again, a day claimed to be the most depressing day of the year. But amidst the January blues, non-stop Brexit coverage and threats of snow, there’s been some cracking stories in the news that you may have missed. So to brighten up...
Every year, around 5% of the British population move home – that’s about 300,000 people! But finding your dream home doesn’t have to be hard. With prior planning and a clear vision you can increase your chances of finding your ideal home in you...
So today is national ‘ditch your new year’s resolutions’ day. How are you doing? Is your dry January or Veganuary going well? Or has your hitting the gym 5 times a week gone out the window already? Many times we make resolutions when we’re feel...
Over three million people in the UK are injured in an accident on average every year. If the accident wasn’t the injured person’s fault then they could be eligible to claim compensation. But not everyone knows how, and even if, they can claim compens...
House prices are expected to grow moderately by a nationwide average of 16% over the next five years and a maximum of 19% in some areas, according to the latest report published by CBRE. The West Midlands is expected to see the biggest growth in hous...
You might not think that you and the world’s richest man, Jeff Bezos, have much in common. However, there’s a chance that you could end up facing a very similar problem if you don’t protect yourself and your assets before entering into a marriage. So...
2019 is well and truly upon us! The Christmas decorations are down, you’ve quite possibly signed up for a gym, and you’re back in the office again. It’s this time of year when we take a look at our lives and consider ways to improve them and thus mak...
Your estate agent told you the conveyancing process should take six weeks, your bank says it usually takes four weeks and your friend who recently moved house said it only took three weeks. You may have been given a number of different answers...
Our office front doors will not be open between Christmas Eve and New Year, but many of our staff will be working throughout the Christmas period and will be happy to help with your queries. ...
Any separation can be difficult. If you are cohabiting but not married, it can seem more confusing about where you stand. It’s thought that 6 out of 10 people mistakenly believe the myth of “common law spouses” and that they are protected in the same...
New Year’s Eve is a fantastic chance to throw a party at home and catch up with your loved ones. Some of you may choose to hit the town for the ultimate night out of the year. Whatever you end up doing to celebrate the beginning of 2019, it mi...
It can be an uncomfortable and unpleasant time considering filing for a divorce. If you are considering it, you have to have a reason for wanting to end a marriage, whether you have been married for 12 months or 60 years. However, there is a myth tha...
I don’t know about you, but we’re very excited for the start of 2019 and the celebration of the New Year! New Year’s Eve parties, friends, a drink or two and some fireworks are all excellent ways to welcome in 2019. You just need to...
The average house price in the UK stands at £231,095, according to the latest data from HM Land Registry. The North West saw the greatest monthly property price rise with an increase of 1.2% to £165,007. But the biggest monthly price fall was the No...
Peterborough MP Fiona Onasanya has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice after denying she was behind the wheel when her car was doing 41 mph in a 30 mph zone. Onasanya told authorities that her family’s former lodger, Aleks Antipow,...
We get it. It’s a rush in the mornings. Getting to work on time for that big meeting, dropping the kids off at school on the way, or even just a rush to the supermarket. With the dark mornings and bad weather rolling around, it can add even more time...
Since 1869, Wood Street Mission has provided gifts for local Manchester and Salford children who could miss out on the joy and magic of Christmas. This time of year can be a worrying and difficult time for families struggling to make ends meet...
The Christmas period is a time of heightened emotions whether positive or negative. It is a magical time of year for children, and a season filled with good food, friends and family. But if you and your partner have separated, it can be a very isolat...
There are 7.5 billion people on Earth, and more than 1 billion of them use Facebook. That’s a staggering amount, but what is even more staggering is that in the not too distant future there will be more accounts with dead owners than living. In fact,...
Married and unmarried couples alike can face the breakdown of their relationship. It’s a terribly difficult, upsetting, stressful and uncertain time, especially if you live together and own possessions and/or assets jointly. On the breakdown of a rel...
Our Personal and Serious Injury team are always working hard to help people – from slips, trips, falls, accidents at work through to life changing injuries and often during some of the most difficult times of their lives. But our brilliant Pers...
Snow can cause chaos on the roads. Black ice, dark nights and fog can all hinder your visibility and driving. But it is also one of the ‘most wonderful times, of the year’… so with more people hitting the roads than usual over the winter...
We bet you can’t wait to move into your new home just in time for Christmas. Are we right? Your first tree in your new house, and the first of many memories to be made with your friends and family. But besides all of the usual packing and chec...
Last year, an average of 73 people were killed per day on Britain’s roads. The stats come from a report conducted by insurance provider Ageas and the Road Safety Foundation. They highlighted the 40 riskiest roads in the UK which had a minimum of one...
Towns and City Centres have switched on the Christmas lights to herald the start of the festive season and revellers will soon enjoy celebratory drinks with friends, family and colleagues. The strong message against drinking and driving will have bee...
Put simply, conveyancing is the act of transferring property from one person to another. It’s essentially the legal ‘legwork’ involved in home ownership; starting when an offer on the property is accepted and ending when the new owner receives the ke...
There are certain words in the English language that provoke immediate negative thoughts whenever they are used. Take the examples, “Snake”, “Shark”, and “Bacteria”. The word “ladder” tends to have the opposite effect… The upwardly mobile climb their...
Talking or even thinking about what would happen if you lost the capacity to manage your own affairs can be uncomfortable and distressing. But with 1 in 3 over-65s developing dementia, planning for every scenario is the best way to make sure you keep...
We’re pleased to welcome two more Personal Injury solicitors to the Serious & Catastrophic Injury Team! Antonia Riley joins Birchall Blackburn Law as a Serious & Catastrophic Injury Solicitor. As well as an LLB (Hons) and is a qualified...
Southport, Ormskirk and District Animal Centre received a welcome £445 boost for its vital work to protect neglected animals thanks to a local business networking group. The Southport Business Leaders Network raised the money during one of its monthl...
The typical British response to all but the most catastrophic injuries is a stoic and dismissive attitude to the impact of physical trauma on everyday life. As a culture we encourage people to brush their injuries under the carpet with an “Oh, it’s n...
At Birchall Blackburn Law we provide free initial legal advice on your personal injury claim. If we then decide that you have a decent case, we will act for you on a “No win – No fee” basis so If you recently had an accident through no fault of your...
Applying for a Grant of Probate can be an upsetting process. The role of an Executor is a very responsible one and is not to be taken on lightly. Executors are responsible for closing any bank accounts, paying any Inheritance Tax due, any existing d...
Stacey Ashe, is a Partner at Birchall Blackburn Law and Head of the Client Services team. I recently went to visit her for coffee at the Manchester office to find out more about her role. Q: Hi Stacey, thanks so much for the coffee! So can you give m...
‘Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot!’ Winter is on the horizon, the long nights are drawing in and toffee apples are springing up in supermarkets. There’s a lot of Autumn excitement around this time of year with Hallo...
Birchall Blackburn Law took home 5 awards for their exceptional customer service in conveyancing at the prestigious ESTAS Awards hosted in London. The firm bagged, Best Regional Group – Gold, Best in County – Southport, North West...
– Total of £14,667.50 raised by 13 Southport solicitors for Queenscourt Hospice – The funds raised will be used to support the essential palliative care services that the hospice provides for over 1000 local people each year Leading North...
Anyone who watched British cyclists, Froome, Thomas and Yates lead the pack will not have failed to notice that all three of them and their fellow competitors wore protective helmets. Judging from some of the dramatic crashes and pile ups, none of th...
To start this short article, can you answer the following question? Which is the odd one out? a) Using a mobile phone while driving b) Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs c) Tailgating I admit it’s a trick question: they are all extremely...
The North West housing market is leading the way for the rest of the nation as it’s house prices are rising despite the growth rate nationally being at its lowest in 5 years. However, even with house prices in the north west being the strongest in En...
Birchall Blackburn Law conveyancers are celebrating success in the Law Firm Services (LFS) conveyancing awards. The awards were announced on wednesday 19th September during a ceremony at Birmingham’s prestigious Vox Centre. Following a rigorous pro...
An expert predicts that if a ‘no deal’ Brexit negotiation goes ahead, there is a 30% chance of the housing market crashing. Falling House Prices The chief executive of Octane Capital, Jonathan Samuels, explained that a mixture of high inflation, a la...
Many injuries aren’t eligible for compensation – but if the incident was someone else’s fault...
As it stands, in order to divorce, unless the parties have been separated for at least two years, on...
You are likely going to experience a lot of different emotions when going through a divorce. Divorce...
The average UK property takes 102 days to find a buyer, according to official stats from the Post Of...
An estimated 370,300 moved home last year – and that doesn’t include first-time buyers! But ho...
Equity release plans have now “entered the mainstream,” according to The Equity Release Council Spri...
Many injuries aren’t eligible for compensation – but if the incident was someone else’s fault...
Read MoreAs it stands, in order to divorce, unless the parties have been separated for at least two years, on...
Read MoreYou are likely going to experience a lot of different emotions when going through a divorce. Divorce...
Read MoreThe average UK property takes 102 days to find a buyer, according to official stats from the Post Of...
Read MoreAn estimated 370,300 moved home last year – and that doesn’t include first-time buyers! But ho...
Read More