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Financial institutions are releasing up to £125,000 from estates to bereaved relatives without requiring a grant of probate, according to Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). The SFE has raised concerns that the practice risks abuse, fraud and inheritance tax disputes. Traditio...
Our office visits require a face mask unless you are exempt The health and wellbeing of you and our staff is important to everyone and we will be doing what we can to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. For that reason from August 8, you will be required by law to wear...
It is compulsory in England for anyone aged 11 or over to wear a face covering on public transport and whilst visiting an NHS facility – and from July 24 this is extended to inside shops too. Wearing a face mask helps stop the spread of coronavirus and reduces the risk...
It has been a difficult time for families who have not only had to cope with the death of a loved one but to do so under coronavirus restrictions. Probate is the entire process of administering a deceased person’s estate, e.g. dealing with money, debts, and personal possessi...
We believe that our legal services are essential services, especially during periods of uncertainty and major change, which is why we have never stopped working since the Covid-19 lockdown began. We had to work a little differently, close our physical high street offices and...
An ex-NHS auxiliary nurse is asking for help from former hospital staff in Cheshire and Staffordshire who can remember the presence of asbestos in two of the regions’ hospitals during the 1970s and 1980s. The mother of two and grandmother was recently diagnosed with an aggre...
During any period of uncertainty it is human nature to seek to put plans in place that will provide some peace of mind if life does take a different turn. It is no surprise then that during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and lockdown we have seen a rise in the number of...
With the vast majority of us spending a lot more time in our homes and gardens it is inevitable that our minds will turn to some of the many outstanding jobs on our household ‘to-do’ lists, which we normally never find time to start and finish. As well as fresh c...
Since the start of the Government lockdown, we have seen an increase in the demand for our Wills service, which is only natural during this uncertain period. Not only are people looking to secure their family’s financial future during a worrying time, but also many people ha...
It started with thorough handwashing, progressed to closing schools and pubs and then finally as of Monday 23rd March 2020 the UK seemed to grind to a halt after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address to the Nation. Amongst other things, that historic address prohibited the...
The short answer to this question is no. Many of us are stepping outside once a day to make the most of our exercise regime during this difficult time. It is a good time to remind ourselves how to observe the law and keep safe when it comes to pedestrians and drivers. When...
No matter how old your children are, it’s always a good idea to keep their knowledge fresh. Whether they’ve just started nursery or they’re in their last year of school, there’s always something about road safety you can teach your kids – even if you’re currently...
Rob Jones, Associate Solicitor for our Serious & Catastrophic Injury team, discusses the nationwide campaign to encourage drivers not to use their mobile phones on the road. Last year the National Police Chiefs Council ran a national campaign to crackdown on drivers usin...
Although prenuptial agreements may sound like an unromantic topic to talk about, they are arguably the best way to ensure there is as little conflict as possible over property and financial assets should your marriage come to an end. What is a prenuptial agreement? Prenuptia...
UK weather can be unpredictable. Severe weather conditions can arise when least expected and be extremely dangerous if you’re on the road. Driving is a risky business at the best of times – 5 people die on UK roads every day – so hazards such as darkness, rain, fog, ice, and...
It is not unheard of for a marriage to have broken down and for both parties to agree that divorce is the best choice. You may wonder if you need an expert divorce lawyer to assist you through the divorce process. Whilst it is not set in stone that you must instruct a lawyer...
The average house price in the UK is £235,298, according to the latest available data from the official UK House Price Index – a year-on-year increase of 2.2%. However, if you’re looking to maximise the value of your property, there are several ways you can ach...
If your marriage has broken down and you’re thinking of divorce, it is important to understand what happens during the divorce process. ‘Divorce’ refers to the official ending of your marriage contract. There are several other matters that will need to be dealt with when you...
If you’re house-hunting then you’ve more than likely come across the words “chain.” This will include, but isn’t limited to, no chain, upward chain, onward chain, short chain and long chain. The average property chain length is hard to determine, although 8 or more pro...
Over half of over 55s who own leasehold properties in England and Wales would consider extending their lease or buying the freehold, according to Key. Leasehold properties account for approximately 25% of property sales in England and Wales. If a property has 80 years or le...
If you believe your marriage has broken down and you’re looking into divorce, it is important to know what the grounds for divorce actually are. In the United Kingdom, there is only one legal ground for divorce, which is the ‘irretrievable breakdown of a marriage’. You can o...
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...
Now that the festive season is over, it’s back to work for many of us. Some 595,000 people have suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety, resulting in 15.4 million working days lost due to illness. So can you sue your employer for emotional distress? I...
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...
Around 67% of the UK population are regular users of social media – that’s over 45 million people! The majority of us are active on our accounts every single day. Sometimes we can’t even go hours without checking it, posting on our timelines, sharing pictures, and chat...
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 the new decade, it might involve dri...
The conveyancing process differs from case to case, but generally there is an order to it. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you can expect from conveyancing, whether you’re a buyer or seller! The Conveyancing Process for the Seller You agree the sale price with the buyer and...
From this week, couples of the opposite sex will be able to register their intent for a civil partnership. After a hard-fought campaign and legal challenge spanning half a decade from the Equal Civil Partnership Campaign Group, with campaigners Dr Rebecca Steinfeld and Charl...
With marriages gradually declining over the decades, living together without saying “I do” has become the choice for many. People may prioritise saving up for a house deposit, travel or education over marriage, as the costs can add up. According to the latest available data...
With the festive season in full swing, there are lots of people out doing their Christmas shopping. More people means it’s busier and more chance of an incident on the roads. There has been an alarming increase in the incidence of pedestrians suffering injury as a resu...
Social media usage is growing by the day, and so is it’s impact on our relationships. Since social media’s launch in the early 2000s, it has gone from strength to strength and changed the way in which we interact with the world. Sites like Facebook and Instagram allow us a d...
As part of our new Moving to… series we take a look at some of the most popular areas to live in. We’ll cover the local property market, food & drink, education, transport, culture & attractions and much more. This month we head to the small but mighty city of Prest...
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...
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...
A Will is a very important document – so where should you keep it? There are plenty of options and no legal requirements as to where you keep your Will. However, some options are better than others. When deciding where to keep your Will, you need to make sure that yo...
Here at Birchall Blackburn Law, our Private Client Team is excited to again take part in the annual Wills Week campaign in support of St Catherine’s Hospice. Wills Week this year runs from 11th to 15th November and, as always, appointments are booking up fast! During Wills W...
Young drivers face a lot of pressure to be the safest on the road. While experience may have a part to play in why they are more likely to be involved with road traffic collisions than their older counterparts, studies suggest that young drivers seem to face growing distract...
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...
As part of our new Moving to… series we take a look at some of the most popular areas to live in. We’ll cover the local property market, food and drink, education, transport, culture and attractions and much more. This month we take a closer at look at life in the community...
This month we cover the fastest growing property markets by region, the latest on the leasehold scandal, England’s most expensive streets and more… Liverpool and Leicester are among the fastest-growing property markets Some of the fastest-growing regional property markets i...
Presently, there are over 1,600 different cryptocurrencies in the world. Bitcoin is by far the most popular cryptocurrency at the moment, with 32 million Bitcoin wallets set and 7.1 million active Bitcoin users. What happens to a person’s cryptocurrency when they die? We ta...
Have you ever been to a funeral and thought “Does my own funeral have to be religious if I’m not religious?” Non-religious funerals are still very much the real deal. Here, we detail a few ways you can have an alternative non-religious funeral. The reasons for not having a r...
This month we look at the improvements to the Funeral Expenses Payment claims process, the UK’s favourite funeral song, the rising importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney and much more… Faster access to funeral financial support for bereaved families The processing times f...
Two weeks after the clocks go back, there are around 278 more road traffic collisions than in the two weeks before. That amounts to around 20 more incidents per day¹ – a figure that can be reduced if we take the right safety measures. Why do the clocks go back? At 2am...
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 Savills Estate Agents. You may have found your dream ho...
The new school year is well underway, so that means the kids are back in the playground at break times. Children are naturally energetic, playful and less able to identify risk. Unfortunately injuries are bound to occur from time to time. A broken wrist, for example, can gr...
Not only does commercial property account for 13% of the value of all buildings in the UK, the actual value itself was £883 million according to latest data. So, the question is, what’s the best way to go about preparing for the sale of your commercial property? There are m...
As part of our new Moving to… series we take a look at some of the most popular areas to live in. We’ll cover the local property market, food and drink, education, transport, culture and attractions and much more. This month we take a closer at look at life in the Merseysid...
Making a will has many advantages. However, many people die without leaving a valid will and this then poses two big questions: • “Who is entitled to deal with the estate?” and • “Who will inherit?” When someone dies without making a Will, it isn’t always clear who can legal...
Many people mistakenly believe if they write a Will, that’s all they need to do. However, as life goes on, personal and financial circumstances can change, which may affect the terms of your Will. The law sets out the rules which govern the validity of Wills. Why should...
From January to March this year 162,270 new houses were built by private developers, with plenty more on the way later this year. There are several reasons to opt for a new-build house, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Here are just a few of the best reasons to buy a...
Nine in ten of the UK population has moved home in the last 30 years, according to recent data from Master Removers. Moving house means lots of packing – and lots of packing means lots of planning. Here are some of our favourite pro packing tips for moving house…...
This month we take a look at the latest property news including the city with the strongest growth in house prices, the new landlord ‘blacklist,’ the PM’s stamp duty pledges and more… Liverpool, Nottingham and Cardiff house growth strongest in England and Wales Liverpo...
Fanatical about finance tech? Crazy about the creative industry? No matter what career path you want to pursue (or are currently on!), there is a location for everyone in the UK. We’ve hand-picked five of the top twenty cities deemed some of the best places to further your c...
What is an LPA? The gov.uk website defines an LPA as: “a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you...
If you have recently been diagnosed with dementia, or this has happened to somebody close to you, it can seem scary at first and the future can seem very uncertain. At some point though, you will want to consider what kind of support is required so that life can carry on as...
Co-parenting isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes circumstances may arise in which you no longer feel that your child is safe spending time with their other parent alone. In this instance, you may still want your child to spend time with their other parent, but only w...
When you make a Will for the first time, it is more than likely that you will need to change it in the future, due to changes in your personal circumstances, and/or changes in the law. It is important to review your Will at least every two – three years, even if you d...
From mobile apps to conveyancing dashboards, online solicitor services are fast becoming the norm. There are a lot of advantages to using an online conveyancing solicitors including saving time, accessing information quickly and clear and concise language. Of course, it is e...
As part of our new Moving to… series we take a look at some of the most popular areas to live in. We’ll cover the local property market, food & drink, education, transport, culture & attractions and much more. This month we go to the beautiful historical city of Che...
The new Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 will came into force on Wednesday 31st July. This new law is designed to end the difficulties currently faced by the families of missing persons. It is estimated that 180,000 people every year are reported missing, the majority...
We all know we should make a Will. But for many of us, we’re not really sure why we should. This means that the vast majority of us put off doing it until much later in life, which can sometimes be too late, especially if we are lacking capacity to do so through illness. So...
Birchall Blackburn Law has announced the promotion and appointment of specialist property solicitor, Jennifer Gadsdon to Partner. With the promotion of Jennifer, Birchall Blackburn Law’s specialist property team continues to strengthen its expertise after also being awarded...
When starting the divorce process one party will commence proceedings and will be known as a Petitioner. To start divorce proceedings an application is made which is known as a petition. The Petition will need to be sent to the Court and a fee will be paid to the Court. You...
The starting point is to ask yourself whether the injury was caused by a collision incident that was somebody else’s fault. At the scene, the other person (who will usually have been a driver) might have tried to blame you. They might have said “it was just an accident – no...
July has seen lots of news in the property market. This month we found that first-time buyers are purchasing bigger homes, what’s going on with the leasehold reforms and much more… Wales is the most affordable place in the UK to rent a home Wales has been named as the...
Over 55s can earn an average of £109,659 if they downsized from a detached three bedroom home to an apartment or bungalow, according to a recent study by Lloyds Bank. If you live in the South East, you could see a potential average “equity windfall” of £273,466 if you choose...
Many people can be unsure about what happens after someone dies when it comes to dealing with their estate. It can be a very emotional time, and dealing with solicitors and legal documents can seem daunting and confusing. In this blog, we discuss when it will be necessary t...
A deed of variation means that if a beneficiary would like to, they can choose to redirect what has been left to them in a Will to someone else. If you wish to change a person’s Will after their death, you will need a deed of variation to do so. The deed allows for the bene...
As part of our new Moving to… series we take a look at some of the most popular areas to live in. We’ll cover the local property market, food & drink, education, transport, culture & attractions and much more. This month we start our journey in the North West with a...
“We have work to do and we have a fight to fight…” These were the words used by Kate Green MP for Stretford and Urmson at this year’s Action Mesothelioma Day in Manchester. The annual event is an important day for many families who are dealing with the devastating effects of...
What is a beneficiary? A beneficiary is a person who has been named to inherit in a Will. This person may be left property, land, or money in the deceased’s Will. What are my rights as a beneficiary? As a beneficiary of a Will, you will only have legal rights on your share...
There were 555,000 non-fatal workplace-related injuries reported by employees last year, according to stats published by HSE. Around 420,000 of these injuries resulted in absences of up to 7 days and 135,000 injuries resulted in absences of more than 7 days. Almost a third o...
Equestrian injuries can happen in many ways. Anecdotal experience of the horse riding community is that individuals are often very quick to shrug their shoulders either blaming themselves for whatever went wrong or repeating the worn out phrase “It’s just the risk you take.”...
Leaving money, property and possessions in your Will to your loved ones after your death seems like a natural thing to do. However, is it a good, or even a better idea to make some of these gifts to friends and family during your life rather than waiting until you’re gone? ...
An estimated 555,000 people were injured in the workplace last year, according to the latest data from the Health & Safety Executive. Slips, trips and falls accounted for nearly a third of self-reported workplace accidents, closely followed by handling, lifting or carryi...
Maisie, aged 19 from Barnsley, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominated for the Spinal Injury Association (SIA) Young Person of the Year Award at its Rebuilding Lives Award 2019. Masie was paralysed at the age of 15 from just below her chest after deve...
Kitty Castledine, aged 16 from Thames Ditton in Elbridge, is only one of three young people nominated for the Spinal Injury Association’s (SIA) Young Person of the Year Award at its Rebuilding Lives Award 2019. At the age of seven-years-old, Kitty developed a rare virus call...
Nathan Maguire, aged 21 from Chester, is one of only three young spinal cord injured people nominated for the Spinal Injury Association (SIA) Young Person of the Year Award at its Rebuilding Lives Award 2019. At the age of eight-years-old, Nathan went to sleep and overnight...
When a loved one dies, it can be an extremely emotional time and you will need some time to process what has happened. When you are feeling ready, there are some practical things that you will need to do. Below are some of the steps you will need to carry out. Who can/should...
It is a sad reality that fraud and theft against the elderly is on the rise. In fact, the charity Action on Elder Abuse estimated that there are around 120,000 cases a year and rising. As elderly people can be some of society’s most vulnerable, there is a lot of trust place...
Brake, the road safety charity, has announced a partnership with serious injury solicitor firm Birchall Blackburn Law. This partnership offers vital assistance to Brake’s helpline which supports road victims and in campaigning for safer roads as part of the National R...
A property survey is a professional assessment of the condition of a property. The survey includes a “health check” of sorts on every aspect of the building including the walls, foundation, chimney, flooring and anything else related to the structure of the property. The su...
Around 17% of British holidaymakers are planning a “staycation” this year. If you’re one of them and you’re travelling by car, then it’s always a good idea to plan ahead with our summer holiday road safety tips… Before you go… One of the best ways to prepare for your r...
The beautiful area of Richmondshire in Yorkshire and The Humber has been named as the happiest place to live in England, according to the Halifax Quality of Life Survey released this year. Each location is based on local authority rather than a specific town or city. Results...
Your child is the most important thing in the world to you, that is why you should make sure that you have thought about them in every eventuality. What is a guardian? A guardian is someone who will take care of your child in the event of your death. They will take on all pa...
What is forfeiture? Commercial forfeiture, or ‘re-entry’, is where a landlord has the right to terminate a lease and regain access to the premises if the tenant is in breach, for example through using the property for a purpose that is not allowed, insolvency or rent arrears...
The term ‘Commonhold’ has been in the news a lot recently due to the ongoing discussions about re-invigorating Commonhold as an alternative to leasehold ownership. The Law Commission have published a Consultation Paper in response to concerns regarding leasehold ownership....
June has been a busy month for property news! Here’s a quick round-up of the latest on Help to Buy ISAs, tenancy admin fees and leasehold reforms… Lifetime ISA replaces Help to Buy ISA in November The Lifetime ISA will replace the current Help to Buy ISA from th...
A neurosurgeon practicing in Coventry, Warwick and Northampton has been stopped from carrying out two specific surgical procedures pending further training. Following an inspection by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), Hussein El-Maghraby has been told not to perform any m...
BBC news programme highlights concerns regarding surgery performed by a consultant neurosurgeon operating in Coventry, Warwick and Northampton. The BBC’s Inside Out documentary programme featured two independent expert surgeons who severely criticise the work of neurosurgeon...
You’ve worked hard all your life and you want to ensure your family benefits from all of that hard work. So what is the best way to leave money and property to your loved ones without having to needlessly pay thousands in inheritance tax? What is inheritance tax? Inheritance...
The weather is starting to heat up and we’re edging towards the summer months. Many of us will be dreaming of hotter climes and thinking of taking our children away abroad for a week in the sun. But if you are separated from your children’s other parent, then you may be unsu...
Regional house prices continue to grow despite the current political climate, according to the latest data from Rightmove. House prices by 4% in Wales, 3% in the West Midlands, 2.6% in the North East and 2.1% in the North West. In fact, the price of newly-listed properties i...
A Lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a very important and useful document to have in place for anyone, not just the elderly. What is an LPA? The government website defines an LPA as: “a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorney...
Unfortunately, road traffic collisions do happen but motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than the drivers of cars, vans and lorries for the following reasons: Motorcyclists are far less likely to be seen as they approach a junction or even just another vehicle. This is so...
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...
When you give someone an engagement ring, it’s a promise of forever. But what happens if forever doesn’t pan out? Engagement rings are increasingly more and more expensive. So what happens if the wedding is called off or in the event of divorce? Who actually legally owns the...
It is great if you have a Will in place! However, many people think once they’ve got one, that’s it. But you should make sure that your Will is actually valid. There’s a set of criteria that you need to meet to make sure that your Will is legal and will be adhered to after y...
It is usual to appoint at least one executor in your will. But what is an executor? What is an executor of a will? An executor is a person who has legal responsibility to deal with your property and financial obligations once you die. They are responsible for collecting in a...
A neurosurgeon practicing in Coventry, Warwick and Northampton has been stopped from carrying out tw...
BBC news programme highlights concerns regarding surgery performed by a consultant neurosurgeon oper...
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...