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!

Property Forum Meets Again to Discuss Effects of Alistair Darling's Budget on the Property Market

A second get together of the North East Property Forum with Tim Haggie, once again chairing met yesterday. Here are links to videos of both of the meetings.

I've placed them videos YouTube in the hope of generating traffic to Latimer Hinks website and to place Tim Haggie as an authority for property advice.

If anyone has advice as to the best way of "pushing" these videos through Web2 and social media, please let me know.

Property Forum Meeting 29th March 2009

Original Property Forum Meeting

Family Courts: New Rules Won't Create an Open, Transparent System

In a move to boost public confidence from 27th April the media have been granted family court access.

Before this the public and the media have not been allowed to court in order to protect families, particularly children.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the move was a step towards a new culture of "greater openness" in all courts.

Family courts make decisions, such as whether children should be taken into care or put up for adoption, or given contact with parents who are divorcing. They also decide on custody and how finances should be split.

However, there have been claims that the secrecy of the hearings has led to injustices, with some children taken wrongly into care.

Judith Middleton, Partner at Latimer Hinks and Regional Spokesperson for Resolution has warned that the new rules, rushed in by the government, represent a missed opportunity to allow thorough and effective public scrutiny.

Judith believes that new rules won't create an open, transparent system

Oniomania - Shopping Addiction and the Recession

Oniomanía $3.00
Originally uploaded by mezyar

Apparently 25% of Britons are addicted to shopping! Couple that with the current recession and we may find that the 25% addicted to shopping also have mounting debt issues - and from there, without help it's a downward spiral. Take a look at Latimer Hinks press release - Help at Hand When the Shopping Habit Costs Too Much.

I must admit i'm quite restrained when it comes to spending money. If i haven't got the money/cash/wherewithall I will not spend. I hate the thought of owing money or paying on plastic. I never seem to have much spare cash BUT I don't have much debt and I believe that in the current economic climate this is the safest way to survive the recession.

Shopping addiction - oniomania is a hot topic at the moment. See my previous blog post Confessions of a Shopaholic for more information and advice on how to handle your debts.

New Ladies Networking Group - Launch Event

Latimer Hinks, along with other committee members is helping to start up a much needed support/networking group for business women in the Tees Valley area.

If you are based in or around Tees Valley you may be interested... here is your invitation

Would you be interested in joining a targeted networking group?

A group:

• for professional and business women from the Tees Valley area?
• for like-minded individuals to meet and offer support and advice as well as exploring areas of common interest?
• To encourage networking, communication and sharing of knowledge?
  

If the answer is YES to all of the above, then please join us at the launch event of ASSIST – a support and networking group for professional ladies in the Tees Valley area.

The launch takes place at Crathorne Hall on 20th May 2009 from 9am for 9.30am until 11:00am where you will have the opportunity to find out more about ASSIST and their unique “buddy” system.

The cost is minimal - £5. Simply bring payment along on the day. However, if you need to cancel please do so 7 days prior to the event otherwise payment will still be due.

If you are interested in attending please send confirmation to: assistladiesnetworking@hotmail.co.uk

Places are limited so please hurry.

I look forward to seeing you there.

If you are unable to attend but would like to be added to the ASSIST mailing list for future events simply your request to the above address.

PS: many thanks to Crathorne Hall for their support

Swearing in of the Under-sheriff

Anne Elliott, Marketing Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors has been sworn in as the new Under-sheriff of County Durham.

What is an Under-sheriff?
Well, here is the legal definition -

UNDER-SHERIFF. A deputy of a sheriff. The principal is called high-sheriff, and the deputy the under-sheriff.

The High Sheriff and Under-Sheriff were the principal law enforcement officers in the county, but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the appointment have been transferred elsewhere.

Here is a press release on Anne's new role

Mary Everitt, Anne's Trust Assistant attended the swearing in. She'll be telling us all about the day via this blog in the next few days.

If you're interested, here is a List of County Durham High Sheriffs dating back to the 15th Century

The photo shows Anne alongside Alasdair MacConachie, High Sheriff