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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 for at least 12 months and...
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 include. What is a Will? A W...
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 divorce. However, if you’re...
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 of £75,388 to move from a...
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 driver, the pedestrian will no...
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 Will in place will provide...
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 liability claims. The Depa...
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 blame has to be placed on o...
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 is important to have the a...
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 selling time! But someti...
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… Draw your own search area...
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 includes 25,907 new plans....
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 family law is and if a fam...
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 McDermott, the son of Tedd...
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. The average deposit a fir...
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, separation and ending civil part...
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 building? We let you in on...
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 some of these pets? The wo...
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 your finances and welfare h...
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 professionals and others who may sp...
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 day to day responsibilit...
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 unreported assaults. If you’ve bee...
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 in your original will mi...
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 guide to unlocking cash fro...
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 through every stage of t...
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 or medical negligence. For...
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 rent on time. There are ho...
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 will is known as dying “I...
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 you’re on a budget to th...
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 life changing, many are,...
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 going to be be some disruptio...
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 something they ought to have d...
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 relationship. And in the midst of...
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 failed to do something which...
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 people out as they wrongl...
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 compensation through the Motor Insu...
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 applications. The mortgage len...
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, what they are, who they’r...
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 between a freehold and a...
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 place after you have enter...
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 Help to Buy equity loans...
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’t look that bad. This is...
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 decisions either about your fin...
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 first-time buyers. Work out...
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 moment… Studio Flat, £310,00...
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. What happens if I don’t...
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 your dream home, but the sea...
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 attacked by dogs that ar...
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? My father and older sist...
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 examples where the injury is in...
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, then you should definitel...
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 they do it? And what is...
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. If you don’t know the ide...
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 from divorce or separati...
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 I took the route to qual...
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, raised £200 through a crow...
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 your day a little bit, h...
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 your dream location. Follow...
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 feeling motivated, but strugg...
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 compensation on an accident or c...
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 house prices by an average of...
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 don’t be blinded by love...
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 make some New Year’s Resolut...
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 with regards to how long...
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 way as if they were marr...
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 might involve drinking alco...
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 that there are several reaso...
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 ensure that you are stay...
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 North East at 1.9% to £128,...
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, was driving the car when...
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. So every year, thanks t...
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 isolating and lonely time of ye...
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, 428 people with Facebook...
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 relationship there are sever...
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 Personal Injury Paralegal Mah...
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 checking documents with solic...
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 serious or fatal crash pe...
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 keys to their new home. It...
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 control of your life and...
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 Solicitor of the Senior...
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 monthly meetings by selling tic...
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 nothing” or “It’s only a f...
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 own there is nothing for...
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 debts, collecting in the a...
Family law specialist of 17 years appointed Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives Amanda Long, Family Law specialist with Birchall Blackburn Law, has been made a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Amanda has more than 17 year...
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 me a bit of background? He...
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 (South) – Mancheste...
– 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 West law firms joined fo...
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 process in which the judges...
A new diagnostic tool that uses artificial intelligence to identify eye conditions could mean faster and more appropriate treatment for patients at risk of losing their sight. Moorfield Eye Hospital in London and the Google Company, Deep Mind has found that a machine could l...
It is a legal requirement for a patient to give informed consent before any medical treatment can go ahead – without valid consent the medical treatment could be considered an assault or battery. Susan Liver, Clinical Negligence specialist and a partner at Birchall Blackburn...
Serious injury specialist Birchall Blackburn Law has announced its partnership with RoadPeace, the National Charity for Road Crash Victims. Birchall Blackburn Law will join RoadPeace’s legal panel which will enable road collision victims and families to access high quality l...
Sarah McIntyre is a solicitor specialising in wills, trusts, powers of attorney and tax planning and is based at our Preston branch. I recently caught her for lunch to discover what she enjoys most about her work, and why she wishes she could fly! Q: Hi Sarah! Thanks...
Moving day has finally arrived, the removal men and women have loaded the van, and you’re all set to drive to your new address. But when can you get the keys? What is completion? Completion day is the day that money is transferred to the sellers solicitor and from that point...
Once you have written your Will, you will want to ensure that your wishes will be carried out as you intended So how can you ensure that this is the case and no one challenges your Will? We look at what it means to challenge a Will and what you can do to minimise the chances...
When it comes to advanced technology that’s here to make life easier, planet earth is already on it. Only a year ago, research found that the average UK household owns 8.3 digital devices – with technological consumption only set to skyrocket as brands bring out bigger...
It’s a strangely sunny day in Manchester when we catch up with Leanne Tattam – one of Birchall Blackburn Law’s Personal Injury Associate Solicitors. She specialises in serious and catastrophic injury, working with incredible charities such as Headway Blackpool Wyre...
Footing a landlord’s dilapidations bill can hit your bottom line hard. Jennifer McGowan, commercial property solicitor at Birchall Blackburn Law, explains how potentially hefty claims arise – and how to minimise them All too often, the first thing many tenants know about dil...
If you’re in an unhappy marriage, should you be allowed to divorce your spouse, or made to stay? That was the decision the supreme court had to come to yesterday (25th July 2018) with the case of Owens v Owens. Tini Owens is in her late 60’s and has been married to husband H...
Birchall Blackburn Law has won a prestigious conveyancing award for the second year running. The Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2018 have named Birchall Blackburn Law as conveyancing firm of the year – North of England. This is the second time the firm has scooped this...
We regularly see that delays in medical tests, diagnosis and treatment can have life-changing conseq...
A new diagnostic tool that uses artificial intelligence to identify eye conditions could mean faster...
It is a legal requirement for a patient to give informed consent before any medical treatment can go...
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition triggered by an infection. It is the most common...
Unmarried partners in long-term relationship have had their rights improved after the death of a par...