It is a tough time of year for many and according to new research the season of love and goodwill shall be over for some, all too quickly into the new year.
Co-operative legal services anticipate that a 332% rise in divorce inquiries will happen in January compared with enquiries over the last four months.
It was also thought that despite the timing, Christmas was not actually to blame for relationship breakdowns - more-so any split was already likely, but that couples would delay making any announcement until after the festive break.
As the Guardian reports, when asked why divorcees held off until after celebratory occasions, the research group gave these reasonings:
- Not wanting to spoil proceedings was the most common reason, with 43% saying this was the case
- A third wanted to have one last Christmas as a family
- A tenth of divorcees did not want to upset others
- Nearly a third (32%) had not yet confirmed they were going to get divorced
I hope that you all had a relaxing and harmonious Christmas. If your thoughts are now moving towards divorce or you believe separation may be the right path come the new year, then please talk somebody - there are often resolutions to be found.
Wednesday 30 December 2015
Wednesday 16 December 2015
May the force...and true love be with you!
I’ve been away from my blogs for a little while - I'm sorry!
I’m now back and taking keen interest in what’s going on in the news at the moment….this story has recently made me smile.
With the premier of the 7th instalment due for general release tomorrow, LA’s love (and obsession) with the Star Wars franchise shows no signs of stopping as over 130 people have spent days camping for the forthcoming big screening.
To add to the sense of drama and ‘Hollywood’ there is a Star Wars themed wedding to take place! Caroline Ritter - an Australian and Andrew Porters have been queuing since the 5th December and will say ‘’I Do’’ in a ceremony in the queue, outside of the cinema.
Ritter has said that she will be wearing a classic white dress with ‘handmade crystal x-wing star fighters on it’, Darth Vader is due to escort Ritter down the aisle and of course corporate America has got involved as numerous sponsors are supplying items for the wedding including Baskin-Robbins providing a Star Wars-themed wedding cake.
Love and marriage starts and indeed works in many mysterious ways! I wish them all the best and no one can deny that their marriage hasn’t started without a shared interest and joint hobby!
To read the full article in The Guardian please click here:
I’m now back and taking keen interest in what’s going on in the news at the moment….this story has recently made me smile.
With the premier of the 7th instalment due for general release tomorrow, LA’s love (and obsession) with the Star Wars franchise shows no signs of stopping as over 130 people have spent days camping for the forthcoming big screening.
To add to the sense of drama and ‘Hollywood’ there is a Star Wars themed wedding to take place! Caroline Ritter - an Australian and Andrew Porters have been queuing since the 5th December and will say ‘’I Do’’ in a ceremony in the queue, outside of the cinema.
Ritter has said that she will be wearing a classic white dress with ‘handmade crystal x-wing star fighters on it’, Darth Vader is due to escort Ritter down the aisle and of course corporate America has got involved as numerous sponsors are supplying items for the wedding including Baskin-Robbins providing a Star Wars-themed wedding cake.
Love and marriage starts and indeed works in many mysterious ways! I wish them all the best and no one can deny that their marriage hasn’t started without a shared interest and joint hobby!
To read the full article in The Guardian please click here:
Thursday 15 October 2015
Aunt sues nephew over ‘unreasonable greeting’
25 minutes…The time taken for the Connecticut jury to decide that Jennifer Connell would receive zero damages for her broken wrist - an injury she had after an over enthusiastic greeting from her nephew - The New York Daily News reports.
Now-12-years-old, Sean Tarala had been sued by Connell for $127,000 in damages after he accidentally broke her wrist when he was 8.
Sean’s lawyer said the only thing the boy is guilty of is “trying to give his aunt a hug on his birthday.”
Connell’s lawyer William Beckert. “She is not here enjoying a moment of this.” But Sean “should have known better.”
Sean’s family has declined to comment, but I’m guessing she won’t be invited to many birthday parties in the future.
Hey, what’s that saying - you can’t choose your family!
Now-12-years-old, Sean Tarala had been sued by Connell for $127,000 in damages after he accidentally broke her wrist when he was 8.
Sean’s lawyer said the only thing the boy is guilty of is “trying to give his aunt a hug on his birthday.”
Connell’s lawyer William Beckert. “She is not here enjoying a moment of this.” But Sean “should have known better.”
Sean’s family has declined to comment, but I’m guessing she won’t be invited to many birthday parties in the future.
Hey, what’s that saying - you can’t choose your family!
Tuesday 6 October 2015
Ever get that feeling that someone’s trying to tell you something?!
I came across an amusing story in The Independent, that spoke of a woman who had exposed her ‘cheating husband’ using a digital billboard to tell the world (or at least a large majority of Sheffield’s commuters) that she was leaving him.
‘When you get home I won’t be there. Enjoy your drive to work’.
Lisa wrote the blunt message to her husband named Paul, on a billboard on Sheffield Parkway. Pictures of the billboard and wording were later tweeted and shared numerous times on social media.
A spokesperson fro Anco Digital who runs the signs, said the space would normally cost £400. They did not confirm how much ‘Lisa’s’ wording had cost.
Not the most conventional way to communicate to your husband, but a small price to pay to get the message across loud and clear. Thus I’m sure leaving ‘Paul’ under no allusion of exactly how things stood!
‘When you get home I won’t be there. Enjoy your drive to work’.
Lisa wrote the blunt message to her husband named Paul, on a billboard on Sheffield Parkway. Pictures of the billboard and wording were later tweeted and shared numerous times on social media.
A spokesperson fro Anco Digital who runs the signs, said the space would normally cost £400. They did not confirm how much ‘Lisa’s’ wording had cost.
Not the most conventional way to communicate to your husband, but a small price to pay to get the message across loud and clear. Thus I’m sure leaving ‘Paul’ under no allusion of exactly how things stood!
Wednesday 30 September 2015
Divorce details of Liam Gallagher and Nicole Appleton to remain secret
A ruling has been handed by a High Court judge that means the financial details of the divorce fight between Liam and Nicole will remain a secret.
Mr Justice Mostyn said "Most of the financial information will have been compulsorily extracted and is subject to the implied undertaking, which is the bedrock of the right to privacy, and which, as I have explained, collaterally binds the observing journalists, and where I find no good reason to release them from its effect,"
Interestingly Liam Gallagher is being represented by solicitor Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who previously represented Prince Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana in 1996, and Sir Paul McCartney in his 2008 divorce from Heather Mills.
It sounds as though things are being dealt with as amicably as possible on both sides, and as much as I would love to know the details of the financials, it is probably best all round that these elements of the case - that we know would make headlines - are being kept under wraps.
Judge Martin O'Dwyer is expected to deliver a ruling on the actual divorce case later in the year. To read more on the details of this ruling click here for the full article.
Mr Justice Mostyn said "Most of the financial information will have been compulsorily extracted and is subject to the implied undertaking, which is the bedrock of the right to privacy, and which, as I have explained, collaterally binds the observing journalists, and where I find no good reason to release them from its effect,"
Interestingly Liam Gallagher is being represented by solicitor Baroness Fiona Shackleton, who previously represented Prince Charles in his divorce from Princess Diana in 1996, and Sir Paul McCartney in his 2008 divorce from Heather Mills.
It sounds as though things are being dealt with as amicably as possible on both sides, and as much as I would love to know the details of the financials, it is probably best all round that these elements of the case - that we know would make headlines - are being kept under wraps.
Judge Martin O'Dwyer is expected to deliver a ruling on the actual divorce case later in the year. To read more on the details of this ruling click here for the full article.
Tuesday 15 September 2015
It must be ‘Super Like’
The Telegraph covers a funny story this week which reports that in Australia, Tinder have introduced a new feature of ‘Super Liking' someone. Rather than just swiping right or left, you now swipe those you love into the sky ‘the way your heart leapt the first time you set eyes on their profile picture’.
With only one ‘Super Like’ a day you must choose wisely, as you are showing that individual that you like them more than anyone else you’ve swiped that day! This sounds like the basis of true love for sure.
Tinder has often been viewed negatively and as superficial - judging people on looks alone. It has previously been condemned as taking the romance out of our lives - but this new feature will perhaps serve to save romance as we swipe to the sky for true love...and who knows, the next step after a Super Like must be marriage!
Sadly the UK has to wait until later this year to express such feelings…oh well.
With only one ‘Super Like’ a day you must choose wisely, as you are showing that individual that you like them more than anyone else you’ve swiped that day! This sounds like the basis of true love for sure.
Tinder has often been viewed negatively and as superficial - judging people on looks alone. It has previously been condemned as taking the romance out of our lives - but this new feature will perhaps serve to save romance as we swipe to the sky for true love...and who knows, the next step after a Super Like must be marriage!
Sadly the UK has to wait until later this year to express such feelings…oh well.
Friday 4 September 2015
Vintage Car Divorce Spat
A Ferrari bought for £5.5 million, an Alfa Romeo, a McLaren F1 and McLaren P1 - classic cars amongst others made up a collection worth £20 million!
Following their marriage breakdown, Ms Joy-Morancho lay claim that the cars could be transferred to her as part of a divorce payout. On the 28th August Sir Peter Singer ruled otherwise - in favour of Mr Joy-Morancho keeping the cars as a separate entity. It was argued and accepted that they were owned by a company with which he 'had links'.
To read the full story in the Telegraph click here.
The judge will make a further ruling at a later date about just how much cash is in the pot to be divided between the them, but for now, the car collection is left untouched.
Now I wrote about who got the dog in a blog post last year! - and a case I cited was an example of a husband getting their Mercedes Benz SLK and the wife getting the family pets after their divorce.
Let’s just hope that Ms Joy-Morancho can find value in what may come to her in the overall pot!
Following their marriage breakdown, Ms Joy-Morancho lay claim that the cars could be transferred to her as part of a divorce payout. On the 28th August Sir Peter Singer ruled otherwise - in favour of Mr Joy-Morancho keeping the cars as a separate entity. It was argued and accepted that they were owned by a company with which he 'had links'.
To read the full story in the Telegraph click here.
The judge will make a further ruling at a later date about just how much cash is in the pot to be divided between the them, but for now, the car collection is left untouched.
Now I wrote about who got the dog in a blog post last year! - and a case I cited was an example of a husband getting their Mercedes Benz SLK and the wife getting the family pets after their divorce.
Let’s just hope that Ms Joy-Morancho can find value in what may come to her in the overall pot!
Tuesday 25 August 2015
For richer, for poorer
Or not. Wealthier couples are four times more likely to get married than couples from a poorer background and it seems that new figures highlight that there is ‘an alarming widening of the marriage gap between rich and poor’
The report - released by the Marriage Foundation said ‘other social indicators, such as education and housing status, also reflected the stark difference in marriage levels among the most privileged compared to the less well off.’
Harry Benson, Research Director of the Marriage Foundation, said: 'People who get married are thinking about the future and, unfortunately, if you’re poor it’s hard to lift your head above the grindstone and plan ahead.’
I know a mixture of both married and unmarried couples that are doing fine and also struggling in their respective relationships - it’s hard to make a general comment - everyone is different when it comes to this subject matter. But it is a shame if some couples aren't able to seriously think about marriage purely down to the financial aspect of it all.
To read the full article click on the link to The Telegraph here.
The report - released by the Marriage Foundation said ‘other social indicators, such as education and housing status, also reflected the stark difference in marriage levels among the most privileged compared to the less well off.’
Harry Benson, Research Director of the Marriage Foundation, said: 'People who get married are thinking about the future and, unfortunately, if you’re poor it’s hard to lift your head above the grindstone and plan ahead.’
I know a mixture of both married and unmarried couples that are doing fine and also struggling in their respective relationships - it’s hard to make a general comment - everyone is different when it comes to this subject matter. But it is a shame if some couples aren't able to seriously think about marriage purely down to the financial aspect of it all.
To read the full article click on the link to The Telegraph here.
Tuesday 11 August 2015
Husband given a restraining order for ‘revenge porn’ posts
A furious jilted husband - David Honeybell - reacted to news of his wife’s infidelity by posting naked images of her on Facebook and then threatened to send the pic's to his wife’s workplace - none other than the respectable middle class retail outlet - John Lewis.
He also set a suitcase of her clothes ablaze, forcing Mrs Honeybell to put out the fire with a hosepipe.
Mr Honeybell of Beechdale in Nottingham was given a 12 month restraining order and a 12 month community order with a ‘rehabilitation activity requirement’.
He stated his apologies, claiming he ''was upset and angry that after 23 years of marriage [his] wife was having an affair''. He also accepted that the marriage was now over.
Lessons learnt from this particular story:
1) Try your best not to have an affair - especially after 23 years of marriage
2) Do not mess with fire
3) Do not post anything you may regret on Facebook - especially naked pictures of your wife
The Telegraph details the full story behind today’s sentencing in Nottingham magistrates.
He also set a suitcase of her clothes ablaze, forcing Mrs Honeybell to put out the fire with a hosepipe.
Mr Honeybell of Beechdale in Nottingham was given a 12 month restraining order and a 12 month community order with a ‘rehabilitation activity requirement’.
He stated his apologies, claiming he ''was upset and angry that after 23 years of marriage [his] wife was having an affair''. He also accepted that the marriage was now over.
Lessons learnt from this particular story:
1) Try your best not to have an affair - especially after 23 years of marriage
2) Do not mess with fire
3) Do not post anything you may regret on Facebook - especially naked pictures of your wife
The Telegraph details the full story behind today’s sentencing in Nottingham magistrates.
Thursday 6 August 2015
A busy week for ‘conscious uncoupling’
First came the shock news that Kermit and Ms Piggy had gone their separate ways when the couple confirmed their relationship was over on the ABC panel for TV critics on Tuesday….some cynics may say a well timed announcement….
The couple have said that they will remain professional but their personal lives ‘are now distinct and separate’ according to Kermit’s twitter account.
Meanwhile ex-One Direction singer Zane Malik has reportedly ended his engagement with Little Mix signer Perrie Edwards and it has also been confirmed that No Doubt star Gwen Stefani is ending her 12 year marriage with Gavin Rossdale.
It’s sad to read when couples have come to the end of the road with their relationships and - particularly after 12 years of marriage, I hope that Gwen and Gavin have explored all the avenues available to try and make things work.
Here at Hopkins Law we can assist with ‘conscious uncoupling’ questions, mediation and all of your divorce queries. Just email me if you need help.
The couple have said that they will remain professional but their personal lives ‘are now distinct and separate’ according to Kermit’s twitter account.
Meanwhile ex-One Direction singer Zane Malik has reportedly ended his engagement with Little Mix signer Perrie Edwards and it has also been confirmed that No Doubt star Gwen Stefani is ending her 12 year marriage with Gavin Rossdale.
It’s sad to read when couples have come to the end of the road with their relationships and - particularly after 12 years of marriage, I hope that Gwen and Gavin have explored all the avenues available to try and make things work.
Here at Hopkins Law we can assist with ‘conscious uncoupling’ questions, mediation and all of your divorce queries. Just email me if you need help.
Tuesday 28 July 2015
You know I love Facebook….
I may seem slightly obsessed - but this is an interesting one!
An article in the Telegraph details how it is the case that Facebook is not only part of everyday life, it is now rolling out its ‘legacy contacts’ feature in the UK, which allows users to appoint an executor of their profile after they die.
Vanessa Callison-Burch, product manager at Facebook said ‘Facebook is a place to share and connect with friends and family. For many of us, it’s also a place to remember and honour those we have lost…When a person passes away, their account account can become a memorial of their life, friendships and experiences.’
Previously accounts would remain frozen as they could not be accessed or updated by anyone.
The Law Society has already urged people to leave clear instructions about what should happen to their digital footprint and digital assets after their death - so remember to pass on these email accounts, passwords and social media profiles when thinking about your Will…..Oh and of course make sure your ‘legacy contact’ is someone who you trust and know well!
To read the full article and see how to access the relevant settings on Facebook please refer to the Telegraph article here.
Tuesday 21 July 2015
Not so hush hush
Splashed all over yesterday’s media was the news that the ‘go to’ website for those that wish to cheat - Ashley Madison - had been hacked. The hackers claim to have information on ’’all the customers' secret sexual fantasies and matching credit card transactions". The still-unfolding leak could play out to be very damaging to some of its 1 million UK users, whose slogan is “Life is short. Have an affair.”
Ashley Madison founder Noel Biderman, has said the firm believes the hack was an inside job.
A case of not so much 'discreet encounters' and now the Avid Life Media firm which runs Ashley Madison has been forced to respond with an offer of a free permeant delete - that allows members to completely erase profile information, that previously cost them a £12.00 fee.
I think maybe too little too late as the cat it seems is well and truly out of the bag already…..maybe a mediation session to talk through issues would have been a better option rather than to bury heads in the sand over relationship problems and embark on an anonymous affair! Mediation is a process to help couples who are on the cusp or have decided to separate or divorce to talk things through. As a trained mediator, I can help you reach agreement about how to make the best arrangements for the future.
Ashley Madison founder Noel Biderman, has said the firm believes the hack was an inside job.
A case of not so much 'discreet encounters' and now the Avid Life Media firm which runs Ashley Madison has been forced to respond with an offer of a free permeant delete - that allows members to completely erase profile information, that previously cost them a £12.00 fee.
I think maybe too little too late as the cat it seems is well and truly out of the bag already…..maybe a mediation session to talk through issues would have been a better option rather than to bury heads in the sand over relationship problems and embark on an anonymous affair! Mediation is a process to help couples who are on the cusp or have decided to separate or divorce to talk things through. As a trained mediator, I can help you reach agreement about how to make the best arrangements for the future.
Tuesday 14 July 2015
‘Are they covering the cost of the divorce?'
A new programme aired on Channel 4 last Thursday that followed couples that had been chosen as ‘perfect matches’ for marriage, through a process supposedly based on science. The experiment - which originated in Denmark - saw the couples meet for the first time on their wedding day.
All of this alongside the Office of National Statistics releasing findings relating to marital status and living arrangements. Data now suggests that between 2002 - 2014 the percentage of the population who were single or divorced increased but the proportions who were married or widowed decreased.
Social media went into a frenzy with many suggesting the ‘Married at fist sight’ television programme made a mockery of marriage. It’s certainly a novel way to search for ‘The One’ and the cynic in me thinks - shall I send them my business card? The stat’s certainly seem to suggest that a divorce lawyer would potentially be required in the future!
The next episode of Married at first sight airs on Thursday at 9pm on Channel 4
The full findings from the Office of National Statistics report can be found here
All of this alongside the Office of National Statistics releasing findings relating to marital status and living arrangements. Data now suggests that between 2002 - 2014 the percentage of the population who were single or divorced increased but the proportions who were married or widowed decreased.
Social media went into a frenzy with many suggesting the ‘Married at fist sight’ television programme made a mockery of marriage. It’s certainly a novel way to search for ‘The One’ and the cynic in me thinks - shall I send them my business card? The stat’s certainly seem to suggest that a divorce lawyer would potentially be required in the future!
The next episode of Married at first sight airs on Thursday at 9pm on Channel 4
The full findings from the Office of National Statistics report can be found here
Sunday 5 July 2015
All in a name
A recent survey by The New York Times has highlighted that up to 20% of women are keeping their maiden names on marriage.
Nova of Washington says -I kept my maiden name because of the trouble and expense of changing my passport, driving license, legal papers, mortgage documents, business cards, etc. I also have an established business and “name” and didn’t want to confuse all of my clients.
Yet there still seems to be some support for the old way of doing things
as Lynn from New York says - Having the husband’s name is more convenient in working with schools and other organisations where the children are enrolled and have their father’s name.
One of my colleagues recently divorced and didn’t like her maiden name and was going to choose a completely new name - so many options! Eventually she gave up and went back to her maiden name, before re-marrying and ending up with a new surname she actually liked.
If you want any advice about names before or after marriage or divorce then please get in touch. We give free advice so remember that it doesn’t need to cost anything!
Monday 29 June 2015
I give you half.....
An amazing story emerged from Germany this week - a newly divorced man, Martin, sawed up everything he owned and put half up for sale on Ebay simply entitled 'For Laura' as an act of revenge against his cheating spouse. The auction site showed half a car
half a teddy bear...
and half a bicycle...
half a teddy bear...
and half a bicycle...
Several million views and quite a lot of Euros later, it emerged that the story was the brainchild of the German Bar Association, designed to highlight the squabbles that can emerge in divorce cases.
Whilst I admire their creativity (and use of Photoshop), I can't help feeling that this rather concentrates on the negative aspect of divorce, where it can actually be a time of moving on, changing your life and escaping an unhappy marriage.
Not all lawyers are so cynical as the German Bar Association!
Monday 22 June 2015
Just give me the money....
There’s an excellent story this week which proves just why you should always use a lawyer…
An ex-wife made an application to get her ex-husband to pay up the £80,000 he had been ordered to pay her in the final order of their divorce settlement.
He said he already paid it. However, it’s HOW he says he paid it that makes for an interesting read. He swears (and did so, in Court) that he took it to her IN CASH at Pizza Express in Slough. That’s a lot of cash. Maybe he put it in a holdall…
Sadly his story didn’t really hold up for the following reasons:
He says he took a photo of her receiving the money but he had since lost his phone.
He says he took his brother with him but the brother didn’t see the ex-wife.
He says he took a third witness, but now can’t produce that witness.
He says he didn’t get a receipt because ‘he trusted his ex-wife’.
He says she agreed to £40,000 in cash rather than the £80,000 the court had ruled because she didn’t want it to affect her benefits.
He had already said to his solicitor that he wasn’t going to comply with the £80,000 order.
Oops.
The Judge, needless to say, didn’t believe a word of it and the ex-husband is now being told to pay the ex-wife’s legal costs. The file is also being passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions who may go after the ex-husband for perjury.
Some useful points to remember from this then:
1. Use a lawyer if you’re planning to hand over £40,000 in cash. Also consider a bodyguard.
2. Get a receipt.
3. Comply with any court orders.
4. Have a witness.
5. Don’t lie in court.
Most important of those is: USE A LAWYER!
An ex-wife made an application to get her ex-husband to pay up the £80,000 he had been ordered to pay her in the final order of their divorce settlement.
He said he already paid it. However, it’s HOW he says he paid it that makes for an interesting read. He swears (and did so, in Court) that he took it to her IN CASH at Pizza Express in Slough. That’s a lot of cash. Maybe he put it in a holdall…
Sadly his story didn’t really hold up for the following reasons:
He says he took a photo of her receiving the money but he had since lost his phone.
He says he took his brother with him but the brother didn’t see the ex-wife.
He says he took a third witness, but now can’t produce that witness.
He says he didn’t get a receipt because ‘he trusted his ex-wife’.
He says she agreed to £40,000 in cash rather than the £80,000 the court had ruled because she didn’t want it to affect her benefits.
He had already said to his solicitor that he wasn’t going to comply with the £80,000 order.
Oops.
The Judge, needless to say, didn’t believe a word of it and the ex-husband is now being told to pay the ex-wife’s legal costs. The file is also being passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions who may go after the ex-husband for perjury.
Some useful points to remember from this then:
1. Use a lawyer if you’re planning to hand over £40,000 in cash. Also consider a bodyguard.
2. Get a receipt.
3. Comply with any court orders.
4. Have a witness.
5. Don’t lie in court.
Most important of those is: USE A LAWYER!
Monday 15 June 2015
You're leaving what??
A fascinating article in The Guardian this weekend looked at the things people leave to others in their wills.
For example, Diana, Princess of Wales, left her butler £50,000 and Alexander McQueen left the same sum to his dogs.
The article goes on to say that only a third of us have a will. According to the Ministry of Justice, of that third, a further third will have failed to update their will to reflect major life changes, such as remarriage. A survey by the organisation Dying Matters found that fewer than 50% of couples have any idea of what their partners’ end-of-life wishes actually are. It seems we prefer to remain blissfully ignorant.
It also tells the sad story of Peter, his daughter Katy and his second wife, Jean. Peter, who hadn’t made a will, sadly died before Jean so under the rules of intestacy, his estate went to Jean. When she died, Katy got nothing, everything went to Jean’s family. This is surely not what Peter would have wanted - if he’d simply made a Will it would have been simpler.
Whilst chatting about wills and dying over the dinner table might feel like an awkward thing to do, it is very important that you do - especially if you’re remarried, separated or divorced.
If you’d like to talk to us about a will, simply email Lynn or telephone for an appointment on 029 2039 5888.
For example, Diana, Princess of Wales, left her butler £50,000 and Alexander McQueen left the same sum to his dogs.
The article goes on to say that only a third of us have a will. According to the Ministry of Justice, of that third, a further third will have failed to update their will to reflect major life changes, such as remarriage. A survey by the organisation Dying Matters found that fewer than 50% of couples have any idea of what their partners’ end-of-life wishes actually are. It seems we prefer to remain blissfully ignorant.
It also tells the sad story of Peter, his daughter Katy and his second wife, Jean. Peter, who hadn’t made a will, sadly died before Jean so under the rules of intestacy, his estate went to Jean. When she died, Katy got nothing, everything went to Jean’s family. This is surely not what Peter would have wanted - if he’d simply made a Will it would have been simpler.
Whilst chatting about wills and dying over the dinner table might feel like an awkward thing to do, it is very important that you do - especially if you’re remarried, separated or divorced.
If you’d like to talk to us about a will, simply email Lynn or telephone for an appointment on 029 2039 5888.
Monday 8 June 2015
Divorce case likened to a boxing match
A former Miss Russia and a top American businessman have finally emerged from a divorce likened to a boxing match by the Judge on the case.
Ekaterina Parfenova and Richard Fields have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter divorce, with her asking for £60,000 per year for hairdressers and beauty treatments alone, and him suggesting that she could live somewhere cheaper than the uber-rich areas of London she was used to.
Their previous luxury lifestyle together included Maserati, Range Rover and BMW cars, a cook, a cleaner and two nannies as well as top restaurants and expensive jewellery.
The Judge, Mr Justice Holman, said “There are no winners and no losers. You’ve not got as much as you [Ms Parfenova] wanted, and he’s having to pay more than he wished to pay. What I sincerely hope is that each of you take away the lesson of this bruising experience. It was a boxing match. It wasn’t edifying.”
Meanwhile, Mr Fields has already spent £30,000 on an antique ring for his ‘soon-to-be’ wife no. 6, and Ms Parfenova has said that her financial strategy for the future is to find another rich husband.
She also claimed that her ‘fight for justice’ had been a struggle on behalf of abandoned mothers and children everywhere.
As she received a settlement worth £3.3m and the legal costs ran to over £1m might I suggest that she’s not really that abandoned?
Ekaterina Parfenova and Richard Fields have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter divorce, with her asking for £60,000 per year for hairdressers and beauty treatments alone, and him suggesting that she could live somewhere cheaper than the uber-rich areas of London she was used to.
Their previous luxury lifestyle together included Maserati, Range Rover and BMW cars, a cook, a cleaner and two nannies as well as top restaurants and expensive jewellery.
The Judge, Mr Justice Holman, said “There are no winners and no losers. You’ve not got as much as you [Ms Parfenova] wanted, and he’s having to pay more than he wished to pay. What I sincerely hope is that each of you take away the lesson of this bruising experience. It was a boxing match. It wasn’t edifying.”
Meanwhile, Mr Fields has already spent £30,000 on an antique ring for his ‘soon-to-be’ wife no. 6, and Ms Parfenova has said that her financial strategy for the future is to find another rich husband.
She also claimed that her ‘fight for justice’ had been a struggle on behalf of abandoned mothers and children everywhere.
As she received a settlement worth £3.3m and the legal costs ran to over £1m might I suggest that she’s not really that abandoned?
Monday 1 June 2015
So you don't know where your ex-partner lives?
A few weeks ago I blogged about the woman given permission to serve divorce papers on her husband via Facebook as she didn’t know where he was living. This got me thinking about the more usual legal route to divorcing when you don’t know where your spouse is.
You will still have to fill in a divorce petition, stating the last known address. You will need to show that you have done everything you can to find them, such as contacting friends, family, relatives, their bank, employer and any trade union or professional organisation.
You then also fill in what’s known as a ‘statement to dispense with service of the divorce petition’ and return it to the local court with the £50 fee.
If your spouse is missing and presumed dead, there is a different form - a D8D which can be filled in.
The court can then, in either case, end the marriage without the divorce petition actually being sent to your ex-spouse.
Needless to say, this is not a usual route to divorce, and may be one where you need some legal help - we're here to help with all your divorce queries, just email me if you need help.
You will still have to fill in a divorce petition, stating the last known address. You will need to show that you have done everything you can to find them, such as contacting friends, family, relatives, their bank, employer and any trade union or professional organisation.
You then also fill in what’s known as a ‘statement to dispense with service of the divorce petition’ and return it to the local court with the £50 fee.
If your spouse is missing and presumed dead, there is a different form - a D8D which can be filled in.
The court can then, in either case, end the marriage without the divorce petition actually being sent to your ex-spouse.
Needless to say, this is not a usual route to divorce, and may be one where you need some legal help - we're here to help with all your divorce queries, just email me if you need help.
Monday 18 May 2015
Keep it in the family
This week we have heard that The Speaker's wife, Sally Bercow, cheated on her husband with his cousin, who has now dumped her and gone back to his wife. It seems that cheating so close to home is not as unusual as all that, judging by the radio phone-ins I've heard this week. Sadly such affairs often make everything more difficult as not only does the marriage break up, but often rifts are caused within families that can never be healed.
In a very timely 'life imitating art' way, the Sally Bercow story comes at a time when a long-running storyline on The Archers is about to culminate with Ed Grundy about to marry Emma Grundy. For those of you who have never heard The Archers, Emma used to have a relationship with Ed before cheating on him and marrying his brother Will before splitting with him to get engaged to Ed.... The feud between the brothers goes on and on to the extent that they can barely be civil to each other. Is Will going to turn up to the wedding and play nicely?
Or will it be as frosty as the next Bercow family Christmas?
In a very timely 'life imitating art' way, the Sally Bercow story comes at a time when a long-running storyline on The Archers is about to culminate with Ed Grundy about to marry Emma Grundy. For those of you who have never heard The Archers, Emma used to have a relationship with Ed before cheating on him and marrying his brother Will before splitting with him to get engaged to Ed.... The feud between the brothers goes on and on to the extent that they can barely be civil to each other. Is Will going to turn up to the wedding and play nicely?
Or will it be as frosty as the next Bercow family Christmas?
Monday 11 May 2015
Divorce by Facebook...
It has finally happened - divorce by Facebook. Yes, that’s right - a woman living in Brooklyn has been told by a judge that she can start divorce proceedings against her estranged husband by sending him papers via a Facebook message.
The couple were married in 2009 although they never consumated their marriage because the groom reneged on his promise to have a traditional Ghanaian wedding ceremony.
Since then the couple have been living apart and although the bride doesn’t know where the groom lives, he keeps in touch through Facebook.
It was this aspect that led the Judge at Manhattan Supreme Court to give the go ahead to serve divorce papers through the social networking site.
I’m not sure if the husband will ‘like’ this though!
The couple were married in 2009 although they never consumated their marriage because the groom reneged on his promise to have a traditional Ghanaian wedding ceremony.
Since then the couple have been living apart and although the bride doesn’t know where the groom lives, he keeps in touch through Facebook.
It was this aspect that led the Judge at Manhattan Supreme Court to give the go ahead to serve divorce papers through the social networking site.
I’m not sure if the husband will ‘like’ this though!
Monday 27 April 2015
Marriage is a marathon - right?
I don't know about you, but I was inspired and motivated by the London Marathon yesterday - not necessarily to run a marathon, obviously, but just to get out in the fresh air! And there were two brave couples embarking on their marriage journeys during the actual race - Laura Harvey and Michael Elliott actually stopped off at 13 miles, dashed across Tower Bridge to St Katharine's Docks for the ceremony, then finished off the marathon before returning to their reception. Phew. If they can survive that, they should be ok!
And another runner, Jordan Meikle, met up with his friends and supporters on the course, then pretended to stretch his legs, ending up on one knee with a ring and a rose from his pockets to give to his VERY surprised girlfriend, Kayleigh Harris. Then a bit of a chat, cue lots of cheering from onlookers and other runners, and he was on his way again.
So two couples embarking on married life in a sporty and romantic way in the middle of a cold, grey and drizzly London Marathon.
All together now - Aaaaaah!
And another runner, Jordan Meikle, met up with his friends and supporters on the course, then pretended to stretch his legs, ending up on one knee with a ring and a rose from his pockets to give to his VERY surprised girlfriend, Kayleigh Harris. Then a bit of a chat, cue lots of cheering from onlookers and other runners, and he was on his way again.
So two couples embarking on married life in a sporty and romantic way in the middle of a cold, grey and drizzly London Marathon.
All together now - Aaaaaah!
Monday 20 April 2015
You can't trust anyone these days...
A bishop’s behaviour has been described as ‘lamentable and not frank’ by Judge Richard Robinson in a divorce case in the High Court of London.
The bishop (who used to be a banker - I’m saying nothing) was found to have hidden hundreds of thousands of pounds in offshore accounts, along with ‘further undisclosed assets’.
The couple, who have not been named but are in their 50s, lived in a £825,000 house in south-west London. The bishop/banker formerly lived and worked in the USA before being ordained into the Anglican church and was now said to be working as a bishop overseas. The wife had been a health services manager.
The bishop/banker was ordered to transfer the London house to the wife, along with ‘some properties he owned abroad’.
And him a man of the cloth…
The bishop (who used to be a banker - I’m saying nothing) was found to have hidden hundreds of thousands of pounds in offshore accounts, along with ‘further undisclosed assets’.
The couple, who have not been named but are in their 50s, lived in a £825,000 house in south-west London. The bishop/banker formerly lived and worked in the USA before being ordained into the Anglican church and was now said to be working as a bishop overseas. The wife had been a health services manager.
The bishop/banker was ordered to transfer the London house to the wife, along with ‘some properties he owned abroad’.
And him a man of the cloth…
Monday 13 April 2015
Divorce can be simple...
It is reported that Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are to split all of their assets equally in the finalisation of their 'conscious uncoupling' as they are 'pretty much worth the same'. They will also share joint custody of their two children.
Whilst most normal mortals spend quite some time working out who earns what, who owns what and who has the biggest pension, it seems that these two are simply drawing a line down the middle and taking half each.
It is also reported that they are using a divorce mediator - a neutral person who advises both parties when the couple are in agreement that a simple split is what they both want.
This just goes to show that divorce can be simple, but then it could be that it's a lot easier when there's $302million to play with...
Whilst most normal mortals spend quite some time working out who earns what, who owns what and who has the biggest pension, it seems that these two are simply drawing a line down the middle and taking half each.
It is also reported that they are using a divorce mediator - a neutral person who advises both parties when the couple are in agreement that a simple split is what they both want.
This just goes to show that divorce can be simple, but then it could be that it's a lot easier when there's $302million to play with...
Monday 16 March 2015
1 + 1 = happy marriage
You'll remember the bride who ditched her husband after he had an epileptic fit at the ceremony? Well, here's another one...
Last week an Indian bride met her future husband at the altar, it being a regulation arranged marriage which both parties were reportedly happy to enter into.
The bride had been told that the husband was educated, so she decided to test him out.
She asked him "What is 15 + 6?"
He replied "17"
At which point she realised he wasn't as educated as she had hoped, and called the whole thing off. The groom's family were pretty miffed, and the police had to be involved to help calm things down.
The families also had to sort out what presents had come from whom - all the presents and traditional gifts of jewellery were later returned.
And in case you were wondering, the answer should have been 21.
Phew - I passed the test!
Last week an Indian bride met her future husband at the altar, it being a regulation arranged marriage which both parties were reportedly happy to enter into.
The bride had been told that the husband was educated, so she decided to test him out.
She asked him "What is 15 + 6?"
He replied "17"
At which point she realised he wasn't as educated as she had hoped, and called the whole thing off. The groom's family were pretty miffed, and the police had to be involved to help calm things down.
The families also had to sort out what presents had come from whom - all the presents and traditional gifts of jewellery were later returned.
And in case you were wondering, the answer should have been 21.
Phew - I passed the test!
Tuesday 10 March 2015
It's Facebook... again
Yes, I know I do go on, but this is just such a corking story I had to flag it up.
I have previously warned of the dangers of Facebook. And then this happens:
Andrew Hennells, a 31-year old would-be robber from King's Lynn, posted on Facebook that he was 'Doing. Tesco. Over' an hour before he did just that, and then 'liked' his own post.
A member of the public who read the entry tipped off the police who found Hennells in his local pub with the cash he had taken at knifepoint.
As Radio 5 Live reported the police to say: 'The Facebook entry was helpful'.
In this case Hennells, who is now awaiting sentencing, got exactly what he deserved. But it, again, shows the reach that social media has and how you should think before posting...
I have previously warned of the dangers of Facebook. And then this happens:
Andrew Hennells, a 31-year old would-be robber from King's Lynn, posted on Facebook that he was 'Doing. Tesco. Over' an hour before he did just that, and then 'liked' his own post.
A member of the public who read the entry tipped off the police who found Hennells in his local pub with the cash he had taken at knifepoint.
As Radio 5 Live reported the police to say: 'The Facebook entry was helpful'.
In this case Hennells, who is now awaiting sentencing, got exactly what he deserved. But it, again, shows the reach that social media has and how you should think before posting...
Monday 2 March 2015
What's that, Polly?
A couple in North Caroline have recently acquired a very beautiful Moluccan cockatoo called Peaches. So far, so good.... Parrots are renowned for memorising words and most owners stick to the usual 'Who's a pretty boy then?' However, it seems Peaches was previously owned by a couple who divorced and, according to her regular rants, they had some cracking arguments.
Peaches regularly recites lengthy chunks of verbal, spreading her wings and throwing her head back and forth, exactly like a human in full venomous flight mid-argument. She aggressively points her head towards the nearest person and squawks away for some time. Apparently she has these rants a few times a day and, luckily, the news owners find it hilarious, although they can't make out the actual words.
Hopefully over time she'll learn that not all marriages are full of the verbals!
Oh, and for the record, THAT dress is blue and black...
Peaches regularly recites lengthy chunks of verbal, spreading her wings and throwing her head back and forth, exactly like a human in full venomous flight mid-argument. She aggressively points her head towards the nearest person and squawks away for some time. Apparently she has these rants a few times a day and, luckily, the news owners find it hilarious, although they can't make out the actual words.
Hopefully over time she'll learn that not all marriages are full of the verbals!
Oh, and for the record, THAT dress is blue and black...
Monday 23 February 2015
In sickness and in health - or not
An Indian bride has stunned her family and wedding officials by marrying somebody OTHER than the man she intended to marry.
This all happened in Uttar Pradesh in India, where the bride and groom turned up as expected at the venue. The groom, who was epileptic, had a seizure at the moment he reached out to put a garland on his bride to be, and he had to be taken to hospital. So naturally you'd expect his fiancee to hot-foot it to the hospital too?
Not a bit of it - she was apparently so angry that he had kept the information about his condition from her that she decided to marry someone else then and there. She asked a guest, who was a member of her brother-in-law's family, to step in and marry her instead. He agreed!
When the original bridegroom recovered and returned, he pleaded with his former fiancee to still marry him, but by this time she was married to the other guest.
Well, at least they didn't waste the big day, eh?
This all happened in Uttar Pradesh in India, where the bride and groom turned up as expected at the venue. The groom, who was epileptic, had a seizure at the moment he reached out to put a garland on his bride to be, and he had to be taken to hospital. So naturally you'd expect his fiancee to hot-foot it to the hospital too?
Not a bit of it - she was apparently so angry that he had kept the information about his condition from her that she decided to marry someone else then and there. She asked a guest, who was a member of her brother-in-law's family, to step in and marry her instead. He agreed!
When the original bridegroom recovered and returned, he pleaded with his former fiancee to still marry him, but by this time she was married to the other guest.
Well, at least they didn't waste the big day, eh?
Monday 16 February 2015
I warned you about Facebook
I know I bang the drum a bit about Facebook and other social media - but just to prove a point, this week a bigamist from Bristol was tracked down and prosecuted after being dim enough to share photos of his new bride on Facebook, despite the fact that he hadn't divorced his first wife. Neither of the women knew anything about his deception or the other wife.
Adrian Linham happily married his second wife, Hayley, in Mexico but failed to mention he was already married. Meanwhile his first wife, Liz, was used to him 'working away on business'. The first she knew about his new marriage was when his mother wrote to say how sorry she was about the divorce and to let her know that he had remarried.
Adrian Linham's solicitor could only say that he had got carried away. "He was putting the cart before the horse".
He was sentenced by North Somerset magistrates for 18 weeks. He has now started divorce proceedings, presumably from his jail cell...
Adrian Linham happily married his second wife, Hayley, in Mexico but failed to mention he was already married. Meanwhile his first wife, Liz, was used to him 'working away on business'. The first she knew about his new marriage was when his mother wrote to say how sorry she was about the divorce and to let her know that he had remarried.
Adrian Linham's solicitor could only say that he had got carried away. "He was putting the cart before the horse".
He was sentenced by North Somerset magistrates for 18 weeks. He has now started divorce proceedings, presumably from his jail cell...
Monday 9 February 2015
Valentine’s Day? Let’s get unromantic…
As an antidote to the red roses, smooching couples and loved-up teenagers who will be everywhere on Saturday, how about these 6 unromantic facts about Valentine’s Day?
Whatever you’re doing on Valentine’s Day - enjoy yourself!
- According to a poll by Offers.com, half the men polled want to ‘spend quality time with my partner’. Which is fine. However, nearly a quarter reckoned they mark the day out of a sense of obligation or because they’re hoping to ‘get lucky’. Hmmm, not so romantic!
- It’s going to get worse - fiancés get the most money spent on them, then newleyweds, and then it really goes downhill. Not surprising, probably, but a bit sad…
- In the USA Americans will spend $700 million. On their PETS. This is according to the US National Retail Federation. What on earth are they buying? Heart shaped doggy biscuits?
- 1 in 5 women buys a Valentine gift for herself. I’d dispute this. The chocolates I have ready are NOT for me. However, if one is offered to me then, yes, they do just happen to be a flavour I like…
- Flowers will go up in price. Yep, that’s a given. And restaurants will jam an extra table in and the waiters will be stressed. One of my colleagues goes out with her husband on the 13th February - she says they always get great service and a lovely meal with relaxed staff!
Whatever you’re doing on Valentine’s Day - enjoy yourself!
Monday 2 February 2015
How's it going?
A psychologist at the University of Washington has discovered four key signs that all is not well within a partnership…
- Contempt - seeing your partner as beneath you. Your partner does something you don’t agree with, do you chat about it and decide that both your attitudes are reasonable, or do you immediately think ‘he’s an idiot’? The latter might suggest you have contempt for him - not a good start…
- Criticism - turning a behaviour into a statement about his/her character. Say your partner has a habit of leaving half filled coffee cups around the house, do you find that endearing, realise he/she must have been busy, or gently seethe, thinking ‘what kind of person am I living with?’ Not good…
- Defensiveness - playing the victim, even if you weren’t. Suppose you turn up late to meet friends and immediately say ‘it wasn’t my fault’ (even if it was) means that you’re not taking responsibility for your own actions.
- Stonewalling - blocking off conversations - do you ever do this, or does your partner? Something’s amiss, you begin to discuss it and then one of you answers your phone, starts to text, or walks off. You’ve got to communicate to sort through these problems, stonewalling is not the answer!
I think we can all say we’ve done one of these (or, let’s face it, all four!) at some time - but if it’s happening continually, you might be in trouble.
Forewarned is forearmed, maybe?
Monday 26 January 2015
Party invitations for 5 year olds ...
You cannot possibly have missed hearing about the mother who sent an invoice to the father of a boy who missed her son’s birthday party - she had paid out for a party at a dry ski slope and when the friend was a no-show she thought it was reasonable for his parents to pay up.
The radio waves have been flooded with people putting in their arguments - for both sides - but perhaps the funniest I heard was on Radio 4 when their legal commentator suggested that no real contract exists with a party invitation (let alone when 5 year olds are involved) but perhaps it would be a route to go down…. so here goes:
We (the first party) (the parents of Joshua, hereinafter called ‘The Birthday Boy’) cordially invite you (the second party) (the parents of James hereinafter called ‘The Best Friend’) to allow The Best Friend to attend at the party of the first party at 3pm (hereinafter called ‘The Party’) at The Parish Hall (hereinafter called ‘The Venue’) … and so on.
Perhaps it would be easier, and better, if everybody just spoke to each other and let them know who was, and wasn’t, able to attend?
The radio waves have been flooded with people putting in their arguments - for both sides - but perhaps the funniest I heard was on Radio 4 when their legal commentator suggested that no real contract exists with a party invitation (let alone when 5 year olds are involved) but perhaps it would be a route to go down…. so here goes:
We (the first party) (the parents of Joshua, hereinafter called ‘The Birthday Boy’) cordially invite you (the second party) (the parents of James hereinafter called ‘The Best Friend’) to allow The Best Friend to attend at the party of the first party at 3pm (hereinafter called ‘The Party’) at The Parish Hall (hereinafter called ‘The Venue’) … and so on.
Perhaps it would be easier, and better, if everybody just spoke to each other and let them know who was, and wasn’t, able to attend?
Monday 19 January 2015
25% of parents secretly want a divorce
My first thought, on reading this research from relationship support Charity OnePlusOne was ‘only 25%'?! After that long Christmas break together, kids off school and relatives all sitting around with nothing to do, it does surprise me that more people haven’t secretly hankered after a divorce. Or maybe they just didn’t answer the survey truthfully!
The research also showed that, whilst 6 in 10 admitted to having relationship problems, 23% had never asked anyone for help.
When they do seek help, they most often turn to (in order of decreasing popularity) friends, family, the internet, therapists and support services.
Talking to anyone is a good idea - it is often by talking the problems through that light at the end of the tunnel can appear.
So, if you’re one of the 25% that wants a divorce, talk to someone!
The research also showed that, whilst 6 in 10 admitted to having relationship problems, 23% had never asked anyone for help.
When they do seek help, they most often turn to (in order of decreasing popularity) friends, family, the internet, therapists and support services.
Talking to anyone is a good idea - it is often by talking the problems through that light at the end of the tunnel can appear.
So, if you’re one of the 25% that wants a divorce, talk to someone!
Monday 5 January 2015
Today is D-Day
Yes, apparently today is 'Divorce Day' as it's the start of the first full working week of the New Year, and it's well known for being the day when more people take the first steps in a divorce.
It may be all that time spent together at Christmas, it may have been the family arguments - it may even have been the family (yours or your partners), it may be the debt if you overspent or it may, like my colleague, even have been the Christmas decorations.
I hope that you all had a peaceful, harmonious and restful Christmas. If you didn't and you think it's time for divorce, take a week to sit back, breathe, get back into the routine of work and then find yourself a solicitor if it's still the right thing to do.
It may be all that time spent together at Christmas, it may have been the family arguments - it may even have been the family (yours or your partners), it may be the debt if you overspent or it may, like my colleague, even have been the Christmas decorations.
I hope that you all had a peaceful, harmonious and restful Christmas. If you didn't and you think it's time for divorce, take a week to sit back, breathe, get back into the routine of work and then find yourself a solicitor if it's still the right thing to do.
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