Fun Photo Shoot for the Bride's Ball



Joanne Gilligan (and wig!), Paula Whittaker - Brides at Poppy, Natalie Palmer and Helen Thomas, Latimer Hinks Solicitors

 What a busy day I had yesterday. In the morning I had organised for 18 of our fee earners to have their photos taken so that I could update their profiles. Quite an organisational nightmare considering the the fee earners take phone calls, have appointments and meetings. Hats off to our reception staff Michelle and Katarina for managing to locate all 18 before 12:30!

After that it was a quick dash up to Brides at Poppy. Owner, Paula Whittaker readily agreed to support our publicity campaign for The Bride's Ball at Rockliffe Hall, Sep 30th - a charity event in aid of three charities:

• St Teresa's Hospice, Darlington
• Age UK (Darlington)
• Holistic Cancer Care Centre at James Cook University Hospital

The dress code for the Bride's Ball is wedding attire. Bridal gowns for the ladies and groomswear for the men - the ultimate "dressing up" evening!

Natalie Palmer, Helen Booth and Joanne Gilligan, all employees of Latimer Hinks Solicitors were persuaded (and very easily at that) to "dress up" in bridal dresses from Brides at Poppy. The ladies at Poppys were extremely helpful in choosing a dress, headgear and footwear for each of them to wear...and my ladies were more than happy to be dressed by them!

They all looked stunning...and I must admit I was a little jealous that I had not dressed up - such beautiful dresses!

Joanne, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer could not decide whether to wear her wig - or not... I think she looks stunning with or without!

So, many thanks to Brides at Poppy

Check out our Facebook page The Bride's Ball at Rockliffe Hall. We hope you can join us - tickets are on sale at £50 each.

See The Bride's Ball Flyer for further information

Family Business Week - planning for succession - top tips

Anne Elliott, Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors

Nov 1st - Nov 6th is the inaugural Family Business Week and Anne Elliott of Latimer Hinks is recommending family businesses to plan for succession.

One of the most demanding and difficult tasks undertaken by any business is planning the succession of management and the passing of assets on to the next generation. The process can be especially complicated because of the close relationships and emotions involved.

Most people are not comfortable discussing topics such as ageing, death, and their financial affairs.

Many families have spent their working lives building up their businesses. Naturally they want the business to thrive after they have retired or died especially if the business is to remain in the family for future generations.

Succession planning helps you protect your assets and helps you take control of how you pass on the business when the time comes - planning today can make the world of difference to how the business operates in the months and years to come.

Anne's action points are:

• Set the targets and objectives you want to achieve from the succession process.
•  Divide the process up into stages and identify a timescale for each phase from pinpointing who will take over the running of the business to the final handover of control of the company (it might be a five year plan).
• Establish if the people you would like to take over the business have the right skill sets and abilities.
• Find out if the potential successors are willing to assume the role you have identified for them.
• Ask yourself, would it be better for the business for a member of the family to take over or to bring in someone from outside?
• Alternatively would the best course of action be to sell the business?
• Enlist expert advisers to make sure that any plans are legally watertight, are tax efficient and minimise the potential for challenge by or conflict among family members.

Seek good advice and seek it early. To ensure a smooth succession it is vital to start planning several years before your retirement date or death (a date no-one can anticipate!) Delay planning and your family and your business may all suffer as a result. If you and your family are prepared to put aside time now to prepare for the future the rewards can be very significant and you can make sure that the transition happens the way that you want it to.

Further details can be found on the fact sheet Succeeding at Succession

Advice for Employers Facing Workplace Football Frenzy

It's great to see England supporting the England Football Team in the World Cup.

I even ventured out to the pub to watch the England V USA. Surrounded by painted faces, flags and St George hats the atmosphere (especially after Gerrards goal) was fantastic.

However, it's not as easy for employers to accept the World Cup and the problems which can result.

Nick Poole of Latimer Hinks Solicitors explains how it's a no-win situation for employers.
How to Avoid a World Cup Employment Law Own Goal

First Published Deal of the Year

Business success stories/commercial deals always go down well with the press. Particularly, when all around us businesses are finding it difficult to cope with the economic downturn.

A recent Latimer Hinks success story gained coverage almost immediately. In previous times (before the economic downturn) this type of press story may have been passed over as not being "big" enough. We believe all of our press stories are worthy of press attention!

Jill and Paul Jackson bought a freehold rural pub which had been empty for 2 and a half years.
Latimer Hinks Expertise Helps Re-open Historic Pub

Well done the Jacksons! and well done Nicola (partner at Latimer Hinks) for ensuring that the Jackson's dreams have a good start!

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

Confessions of a Shopaholic - how to handle your debt!

"Confessions of a Shopaholic" - Movie Trailer
Originally uploaded by OneSourceTalent.com Models & Actors

Confessions of a Shopaholic, now screening at cinemas nationwide.

The timing of this movie in the current climate leaves alot to be desired! It's hard sympathise for Rebecca, a spend-happy, romantic caught out by her passion for shopping. She holds 12 credit cards and racks up debts left right and centre.

The situation is so desperate that a Debt Collector is hired to recover the money owed.

Rather than ask for help at this point Rebecca spins a web of lies which only makes matters worse.

Okay, so we're talking about an entertaining chick flick, but how much of this now relates to real life and recession?

Did you know that there is a name to describe someone addicted to shopping? Oniomania.

Oniomania, as with most addictions tends to affect people with a compulsive, destructive nature.

Oniomania can lead to devastating debts.

Here, Mark Gardner, partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors (scroll down linked the page for Mark's profile) provides some expert advice:

Sadly while this movie is meant to be a bit of fun/light-hearted the issues raised by it are all too relevant and painful today. Regrettably for too many people the ending is not happy but it does not have to be extremely painful. There will be pain and sacrifices to be made to get out of the problems.

Stop spending – easier said than done. Rebecca has clearly got a problem both financially and medically with her addiction. Does she have the will-power to stop? Only time will tell.

1. Rebecca must determine her incomings and essential outgoings - rent/mortgage, gas, electricity, council tax, food, travel to a from work etc. Whilst this list does not include new shoes/handbags there should be a modest figure put in for contingencies. Hopefully there will be something left over which can be used to sort out the debts.
2. The next step must be (and this can be the hardest) to ascertain how much is owed and to who? Honesty is essential as to underestimate or leave a debt out could ruin all the good plans. If in doubt, over-estimate the debts and under estimate the available cash.
3. Next, with these two figures to hand what can be done and how do you move forward? One way to generate extra cash is to look at excessive items/purchases and sell them on sites such as ebay or the like to raise immediate cash. Hopefully a lump sum can be raised – however small to go into the pot.
4. What is being paid by way of interest on store cards etc? Is there any mileage in moving balances to a card which charges no interest on balance transfers? This MUST NOT be used as a means of getting more credit. The original cards should be torn/cut up/destroyed! Look at loans etc and see if there are cheaper alternatives. Restraint and self control are going to be key here. There will be a big problem with “cold turkey” as Rebecca is weaned off her addiction.
5. What about Rebecca setting herself a budget in cash each week? Once it has gone then that is it – no more temptations to spend in lunch hours etc. Why pay for expensive sandwiches – bring lunch to work and avoid the need to go out to the shops. Any overtime on offer or opportunity for a bonus? It is not all doom and gloom – cheaper alternatives to going out are to meet at home and cook food over a bottle of wine etc or a rented movie – or choose to eat out on "specials" nights or when there are 2 for 1 offers available (check out moneysavingexpert).

These are only suggestions but are not exhaustive. A full strategy needs to be thought out and stuck to in each individual case. What works for one may not work for another. One size definitely does not fit all! The sooner the problem is recognized and acknowledged the easier it is to resolve.

Finally if the problems are fairly severe and creditors are pushing there are always formal arrangements under the Insolvency Act to secure an orderly repayment. Initial insolvency advice is usually free from reputable qualified insolvency practitioners and the costs of any arrangement (aside from court fees) usually come out of the instalments. Hence an instalment may be asked for in advance.

Ultimately bankruptcy can provide the only way forward for some people. Specialist advice should be taken before that is embarked upon as there are repercussions with regards to homes, utilities and banks to name but a few. Partners can also be affected by bankruptcy.

Hopefully with will power and a long hard look at herself and her habits with the benefit of a job the Rebeccas of this world can sort their problems out and achieve a happier ending.

As the Credit Crunch Continues Business Acquisitions Are Still Being Made

We hear it every day, on the news, in the paper, on the internet.... there is a credit crunch. Businesses are becoming insolvent. Employees are being laid off. Doom and gloom abounds.

So it's refreshing to hear of a business man spending money by purchasing a business and keeping existing staff in employment!

Nick Poole, Partner at Latimer Hinks was recently involved in the purchase of a large domiciliary care business in Redcar for long-standing Client, Glenn Pickersgill.

Glenn, a local entrepreneur re-launched the business as Heritage Healthcare.

Here is the full story: Latimer Hinks Supports Entrepreneur's Return to the Care Business

Photo: Nick Poole, left. Ethel Iveston, centre and Glenn Pickersgill, right

The Latimer Hinks Guineapig

This is a time for firsts - my first blog and first posting. The reason I have decided to create a blog is to diary the progress of a marketing campaign which myself and the family law partner (Judith Middleton) at Latimer Hinks Solicitors decided to undertake.

I am hoping that the campaign will generate traffic to the Latimer Hinks website and also raise the profile/awareness of the partners of the firm.

It is an experiment of which Latimer Hinks is the guineapig.

I recently attended a presentation by Roger Coathup of 21 Thoughts . Roger considers himself to be a "futures expert" (GRReat job title I might add). The presentation was excellent and set me to thinking of how best to create a social networking presence.

I took Roger's comments on board and decided to try a few out.