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Pre-nup agreements are often associated with the rich but they are now being used by couples from all walks of life. They are particularly popular with people entering second marriages who want to safeguard their assets for their children from a previous relationship. People who have inherited money or perhaps been awarded compensation for an
Shared parental leave comes into effect in April, giving families more flexibility than ever before. Under the scheme, working couples will be able to share untaken maternity leave and pay, following the first 2 weeks’ recovery period that mothers have to take off after birth. It means that up to 50 weeks leave and 37
Lasting powers of attorney (LPA) are a tried and trusted way of enabling a person to nominate someone to look after their affairs if they ever lose the capacity to do so themselves at some point in the future. They have helped millions of families achieve peace of mind over many years. While the vast
It could soon be easier for people in shared ownership homes to sell their property. The government funded schemes enable people to buy a share in a property, with a registered housing provider owning the rest. Typically, a purchaser may buy a 50% share in the home with the option of increasing their stake if
Family courts in England will soon be able to order DNA tests to establish a child’s parentage. It’s hoped the move will reduce delays and unnecessary arguments during divorce cases. The move follows concern that courtroom disputes over parentage are slowing down proceedings and making it harder for couples to reach a fair settlement. Two
Unmarried couples who share a home should consider drawing up an agreement about how much of the property each one of them owns. Failure to do so can lead to confusion and potential hardship, as illustrated in a recent case before the Court of Appeal. It involved a woman who had lived with her abusive
Leeds United Football Club has won a legal dispute involving an employee who was first selected for redundancy but then summarily dismissed after it was discovered that he had sent out obscene emails several years earlier. The case concerned the club’s former technical director Evan Williams. Mr Williams was made redundant in July 2013. A
There are many reasons why someone may require assistance in administering their financial affairs. The appointment of a legal representative to conduct your affairs is most usually achieved by creating a Power of Attorney. However, for those whose finances are very simple this is not always necessary; the Department for Work & Pensions has an
The government is introducing a series of new measures to deal with the growing problem of late payment of invoices. It could lead to trade bodies being given the power to take legal action against large firms that impose unfair terms on smaller businesses. Large supermarkets may also face fines for breaching regulations. The proposals
An obese employee has won a disability harassment claim after being taunted about his weight by a work colleague. It’s the first case of its kind in the UK since the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled last year that obesity could be considered as a disability in certain circumstances. This latest