Advice for Divorcing Couples Hit with Recession

The depressed housing market and current economic climate is taking it's toll on divorced couples.

divorce sale sign signs canada britain uk
Originally uploaded by thefirstnoname

Unable to sell their property and "move on" many couples have made the decision to "live apart, together".

Judith Middleton, partner at law firm Latimer Hinks comments on new on-line advice and provides tips on how to "live apart, together" (there's even a wikipedia entry for it!)

Below you'll find further articles on this modern phenomenon:

• Recession and Divorce, living together to make ends meet - thanks to Blogher
• Two Exes, One Roof

North East Property Forum meet in June

Property Forum Meeting, June 2009 - The Property Forum (made up of solicitors, surveyors bankers and estate agents) met again and discussed first-time buyers’ needs as well as other property issues. The Northern Echo also reported on the meeting.


A couple of points were picked up:

Houses are selling as long as they are competitively priced. I have a particular interest in this point as my property is up for sale with what I hope is a "competitive price!"

• There is an increase of interest from first time buyers especially with shared equity schemes


• Lenders have noticed an increase in demand for mortgages

Cick on the link to view the podcast - Property Forum Meeting

ASSIST - Ladies Networking Group second meeting

July 1st is the date for the next ASSIST ladies networking event.

ASSIST is a networking group for ladies in the Tees Valley area. The aim of the group is to "help each other". ASSIST offers a "buddy system". Members will be allocated a PROFICIAM, someone to help/share knowledge with. For more information visit the ASSIST website.

There is obviously a need for this type of networking group - the launch event was a great success and a "sell out". The second event which will be held at the Thistle Hotel in Middlesbrough will hopefully attract the same numbers.

ASSIST members are given the opportunity to present/talk to attendees. Fiona Carter of CMF Solutions has very kindly offered to provide an interactive presentation on “Time Management for Those who Don't Have Time to Attend a Time Mangement Course” – we figure we all need advice in this area, how DO we make more time?!

The rest of the morning will provide an opportunity for further networking.

If you are interested in attending and are based in the Tees Valley area simply contact us at
assistladiesnetworking@hotmail.co.uk. Full details canbe found here
Cost £5 members, £7.50 non members

When is a Wedding not a Wedding?

Gone are the days of a quick trip to the church followed by a sit down buffet at the local pub to celebrate a wedding. Marriages can cost tens, if not hundreds of thousands of pounds. When spending this amount of money it is worth checking that your dream wedding is ACTUALLY legal.

When is a marriage not a marriage?

1) when you play around with your vows!

Judith Middleton, partner at Latimer Hinks warns that personalising wedding ceremonies could mean that some couples may not be legally wed. Leaving out key words from wedding vows may mean they do not comply with marital laws. See the full story: When is a Wedding Not a Wedding

2) when you have been married to a friend ordained online!

A couple from Conneticut had their ceremony performed by a friend who had been ordained online by the Universal Life Church. Having heard of other couples who were married that way, they assumed it was legal. But Connecticut is one of a half-dozen places that do not recognize marriages performed by someone who became a minister for the sole purpose of marrying people. See the full story: Great Wedding But Was It Legal?

I'm sure there will be many other examples of Non legal marriages however, i'll keep this blog short. If anyone would like to provide other examples, please feel free.

Wind Farms & Heads of Terms

Neil Stevenson, partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors is becoming quite an expert on windfarms, heads of terms, negotiations etc.

RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) recently asked Neil to speak at three of their conferences

The conferences cover a wide range of fee earning and current topical issues based on Energy, Environmental and Valuation.

The Chester (held during our mini heatwave) attracted an audience of around 50. Neil, understandably nervous received excellent feedback and many questions were asked after the event.

Neil recently took part in a video on wind farm negotiations - The Answer is Blowing in the Wind.

So, if you have a few acres of land available for an alternative energy project, please contact Latimer Hinks 01325 341500!

National Family Week - consider the children after divorce

As we celebrate national family week in the North East (25-31 May) let’s not forget that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that the end of a relationship doesn’t have to result in the breakdown of a family.

At Latimer Hinks, Judith Middleton our family law partner sees separating parents daily who desperately want to help their children to deal with the effects of divorce and separation, but they often don’t know where to turn for information, advice or support.

Judith is an accredited member of Resolution, the national family lawyers association. Resolution has developed a “Parenting after Parting” initiative, which aims to help separating parents through this difficult time with advice and information on how to talk to children about divorce or separation.

Help is available online at www.resolution.org.uk/parentingafterparting, which offers practical help with ways to help children going through these situations as well as details of parents workshops, designed to support parents in managing the impact of divorce of separation for their children.

For those of you wishing to entertain your children during National Family Week take a look at all of the activites on offer throughout the UK

New Rules Leads to New Partner at Latimer Hinks

New rules under the Legal Services Act allow UK law firms to take on non-lawyers as partners.

Latimer Hinks Solicitors took advantage of the new rules to bring on board Andrew Way as partner - a move which recognises the enormous contibution Andrew has made over the past 30 years.

Congratulations Andrew!

Katie Price and Peter Andre's Separation - what about Harvey?

Since last Monday when Katie Price and Peter Andre announced their separation they have been front page news - again. Married for three years Peter and Katie had very sensibly arranged for a pre-nuptial agreement to be set up.

BUT, what happens to the children when a marriage breaks up? What are a step-parent’s rights and responsibilities?

Apparently Peter treats 7 year old disabled Harvey (whose father is Dwight Yorke) as one of his own. They also have two other children, Junior and Princess Tiaami.

According to the Mail Online, Katie Price and Peter Andre are planning to meet to discuss who will care for Harvey, seven, Junior, three, and Princess Tiaami, one.

As a result of Katie and Peter's separation, Judith Middleton, a family law specialist at Latimer Hinks solicitors has turned the spotlight on people’s rights in connection with step-children.

Katie & Peter’s Split: Advice to Divorcing Step-Parents

Judith Middleton is a Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors an Accredited member of Resolution
and regional spokesperson for Resolution, an association of 5,000 family lawyers.

Latimer Hinks Solicitors Support the Elderly

We have all heard, through acquaintances, the media, the press how easily the elderly can be misled or taken advantage of.

At Latimer Hinks we are aware that when it comes to sorting out your affairs solicitors are often the last on the list. Too often, people delay what they want. Sometimes it is too late and when it then falls to others to make arrangements for them.

Solicitors for the Elderly is an organisation committed to providing and promoting robust, comprehensive and independent legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their family and carers

Most of our Private Client lawyers are members of Solicitors for the Elderly . Not just any lawyer can be a member of SFE. Members must have spent a substantial amount of their time working for elderly clients and have also have to fulfil criteria for membership.

Recently, Claire Farrell and Natalie Walker became Joint Regional Co-ordinators for the North East Branch of Solicitors for the Elderly

If you need information/advice on any of the elderly issues listed below please don't hesitate to contact Latimer Hinks. We're here to help.

• Estate planning using wills, trusts and lifetime giving
  Powers of attorney
  Court of Protection
  Probate and the administration of estates
  Trust administration
  Tax Planning
  Living Wills
  The provision of home care
  Preserving assets in the event of long term residential or nursing care
  Residential and nursing home contracts
  Advice on financial responsibility and funding for long-term care, including continuing NHS health care
  State retirement and widows pensions
  Long-term care insurance policies
  Mental Health legislation

Twitter for Lawyers

Twittering - another social networking phenomenon.

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking and microblogging service that allows you answer the question, "What are you doing?" by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers."

All is explained further at Tweeternet.

As this blog is about experimenting with social media I thought i'd give it a go.

I'm hoping to use it to share tips, advice, thoughts and ideas related to Latimer Hinks, the legal profession and social media.

Matthew Homann of The Non Billable Hour has been tweeting for a while. He lists his best 100 Tweets. This list (thank you Matthew) has given me a few ideas to start.

Whilst researching Tweet I came across this list of Lawyers and Legal Professionals (thanks to JDScoop) to follow on twitter. The majority are US based, but they do provide an idea of what to do/expect.

I also came across a great little video on the Lawyerist (thankyou). Very funny - tweeting in the flesh so to speak - take a look!

If you'd like to "follow me" my tweet name is LatimerHinks

Happy tweeting!