LAW FIRM: MORE PARENTS MOVE TO PROTECT FAMILY ASSETS FROM BREAKDOWN OF THEIR CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS.

GEORGE DAVIES SOLICITORS LLP

FAMILY LAW

PRESS RELEASE

March 1, 2012.

MANCHESTER LAW FIRM: MORE PARENTS MOVE TO PROTECT FAMILY ASSETS FROM BREAKDOWN OF THEIR CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS.

The number of pre- and post-nuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements has soared in the past year as well-heeled parents move to protect family wealth from outsiders.

Robin Charrot, a partner in the family law team at Manchester-based George Davies Solicitors LLP, says that a combination of families having to give more financial assistance to their children, the increasing divorce rate, and the sky high rate of failure for unmarried couples is making parents ever-more protective of family assets.

“In the case of divorce involving a son or daughter, sometimes even more than half of all assets can be claimed, and family money is not exempt. On top of that, there may well be claims for maintenance for life, and more and more parents are seeing this,” said Robin Charrot.

“The damage is not as catastrophic with the ending of a cohabiting relationship. However, ex-cohabitees could still have claims for up to half of most types of property, and, if there are children involved, the claims could be far more extensive than just child maintenance.

“If the split is amicable, then things can be settled relatively quickly and easily. However, this still means months of uncertainty and thousands of pounds in legal charges. However, if it gets combative and goes to court then there is the potential for a huge legal bill because these disputes can go on for years.

“Pre- or post-nuptial agreements and ‘cohabitation agreements’ are the solution. They were once considered to be toothless, but that has all changed now: If they are done properly, the courts are almost certain to accept them. In many cases they can completely exclude family wealth from claims, and in the cases where this is impossible, they can at least severely restrict claims.

“They provide certainty, help manage expectations, and ensure that parents who want to help their children but keep the wealth in the family are protected.

“Depending upon the detail of the agreement, the costs are almost always in the low four-figures, whereas taking a dispute to court can easily amass a six figure legal bill, and cost the family dear in terms of their assets that are lost forever.”

Ends

For further information:

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

Lindsey Farrelly

LindseyFarrelly@georgedavies.co.uk

0161 234 8802

07717 177609

Notes to editor:

About George Davies Solicitors LLP: George Davies Solicitors LLP is a 19 partner law firm based in the heart of Manchester city centre. Established over 70 years ago it provides an extensive range of legal services to a national client base. Recent awards and accreditations include; ratings in independent legal directories - Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK; Winner of the Medium Law Firm of the Year 2011 in the Manchester Legal Awards; Winner of the Managing Partner of the Year award at the 2011 LawNet Awards; Winner of the Innovation in Dealmaking award and shortlisted for Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the 2011 Insider Dealmakers Awards; Winner of the North West Employment Team of the Year in the Corporate INTL Magazine Awards 2010; adviser on the Deal of the Year sub £5million at the 2010 Insider Dealmakers Awards and is one of only five legal firms in the country to hold the Investors in People Silver standard.

FAMILY SOLICITOR: COOL OFF BEFORE LAUNCHING INTO HEATED POST-SUMMER HOLIDAY DIVORCE

GEORGE DAVIES SOLICITORS LLP

PRESS RELEASE

September 5, 2011.

FAMILY SOLICITOR: COOL OFF BEFORE LAUNCHING INTO HEATED POST-SUMMER HOLIDAY DIVORCE.

Video interview.

The number of couples divorcing post-summer holiday – the second highest period after New Year for marriage splits – could this year be higher than ever before.

Family solicitor Robin Charrot of Manchester-based George Davies Solicitors LLP says that his first post-holiday divorce case this year arose before the couple had even stepped off their return holiday flight.

“That could well be a sign of things to come – there is tremendous tension amongst couples under financial pressure, and that means the traditional ‘relaxing’ summer holiday could be anything but that for families battling the stress of economic downturn, job worries – and simply coping with being crammed together 24/7,” said Robin Charrot.

Robin says that no matter how bitter the split, it is rarely a good idea for someone to immediately start court proceedings: they may have made the decision to part, but the full potential for aggression should be allowed to subside.

“Divorce is more often than not a once-in-a lifetime situation which comes about when the couple are feeling angry, hurt, sometimes betrayed, and people tend to think immediately about going to court – but there are other options, not least collaborative law which means proceedings don’t go anywhere near a courtroom, and can therefore stay both amicable and private,” said Robin.

“I’ve seen so many people who, once they’ve reached the decision they want to divorce, go headlong into the legal process without actually weighing up what is going to be best long-term for their entire family.

“You need to get comprehensive advice of what the options are, and you need to get advice on what are the pros and cons of each of those routes – how much each is going to cost, how long they’re going to take to get to the end, is there any level of compulsion, and how much level of contention there’s going to be in each of those options.

“You’ve got mediation, you’ve got collaborative law, and, if necessary, you’ve got the court process too.”

But Robin says a non-adversarial collaborative law approach – with which many couples are not familiar, but which involves discussion between parties in the presence of an impartial and specially-trained solicitor – could cost far less and avoid the ill-feeling a courtroom encounter generates.

Ends

For further information:

Lindsey Farrelly

LindseyFarrelly@georgedavies.co.uk

0161 234 8802

07717 177609

Iain Macauley

im@pressrelations.co.uk

07788 978800

Notes to editor:

About George Davies Solicitors LLP: George Davies Solicitors LLP is a 19 partner law firm based in the heart of Manchester city centre. Established over 70 years ago it provides an extensive range of legal services to a national client base. Recent awards and accreditations include; ratings in independent legal directories - Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners UK; Winner of the Medium Law Firm of the Year 2011 in the Manchester Legal Awards; North West Employment Team of the Year in the Corporate INTL Magazine Awards 2010; adviser on the Deal of the Year sub £5million at the 2010 Insider Dealmakers Awards and is one of only five legal firms in the country to hold the Investors in People Silver standard.