Changing Solicitors

Legal clinic round up – May 2018 Every month we hold free legal clinics in Kingsbridge, Totnes and Dartmouth.  Last month we spoke to a lady who was residuary beneficiary of an estate. A firm of solicitors in the South East who had acted for the deceased for years and held the original will had been instructed to administer the … Read More

Theresa May under pressure over ‘dementia tax’ social care shakeup

On the 21 May 2017, the Guardian ran the following report: Theresa May under pressure over ‘dementia tax’ social care shakeup. Plans to make elderly people pay for care in their own home going down badly on doorstep say Conservative candidates Theresa May is coming under pressure to drop or water down her controversial shakeup of social care that has been branded … Read More

Are you a common law spouse?

You may believe you are, afterall, it is a term frequently used to describe a couple in a long term relationship, usually living together.  Nevertheless, the correct answer is no.  Currently, in legal terms, there is no such thing.    That also means that unless you are married or in a civil partnership, living with your partner does not give … Read More

When should you register your LPA?

Legal clinic round up – April 2018 Every month we hold free legal clinics in Kingsbridge, Totnes and Dartmouth.  We are often asked about Lasting Powers of Attorney, a legal document that allows you to appoint someone else to help you to manage your affairs.  Before your attorney can use the lasting power of attorney it must be registered with … Read More

Hannah’s Will Week 2018

Hannahs is a local charity providing services to children and adults with long term care needs. In March 2018 we took part in Hannah’s Make a Will Week. We gave our Will writing services free of charge and in return the clients donated money to Hannah’s. In total this raised £675.

What do you do when someone dies?

Legal clinic round up – March 2018 We spoke to people with a wide variety of issues ranging from whether a landlord can refuse a tenant’s request for alterations to a property for disabled access; how to set up a charity; and whether a person with dementia is able to make changes to their will or appoint an attorney.       … Read More

Deprivation of Liberty and Dementia

On the 13 March 2017, the major news outlets ran the following reports: The Daily Telegraph – “50,000 families caring for relatives at home risk breaking the law by locking them in”; The Times – “Dementia sufferers held in care homes and hospitals illegally”; BBC News –“People with Dementia ‘failed’ by deprivation of liberty law”; The Guardian – “Thousands of … Read More

Getting married cancels your Will

Legal clinic round up – February 2018 Every month we hold free legal clinics in Kingsbridge, Totnes and Dartmouth.  The most popular topics that people want to discuss with us relate to Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.  A particular question that arose this month is what happens to my Will if I get married or divorced.  When you marry, … Read More

Divorce and the Importance of Making a Will

Going through a separation or divorce will be a very stressful time. You must make big decisions about the division of property and money. If you have children decisions have to be made about their future living arrangements.  At this very difficult time thoughts about what happens to your assets when you die can be overlooked. Following your divorce, your … Read More

Legal clinic round up – January 2018

Throughout 2017 we have given advice on a wide variety of legal issues at their free legal clinics held each month in Kingsbridge, Totnes and Dartmouth.  Beccy said “We have been asked to interpret all sorts of legal documents, insurance policies, contracts and agreements and property deeds.  We have been shown a number of Wills made years before and asked … Read More