When I trained we covered many areas of law so I have a good understanding of a broad range of issues. This is helpful in the work that I do. It is also helpful that I run my own business, this means that I can help clients who have a business or who are married to someone who owns a business. I also have a keen interest in property and so I have a good idea as to the value of a house for divorce purposes and how fast a probate property is likely to sell.
There is no typical week for me. I might be networking, setting the budget for the year or dealing with our marketing. I love LinkedIn as a way to connect with the world of business. Sitting in my legal bubble I had no idea just how many new industries were out there, or how they connect with one another.
Then there is my legal work. Most of the work I do is quite complex. I have learned more and more over the years so our easier cases are given to more junior staff. A day in the office is likely to consist of seeing new Divorce clients. Most of these clients are understandably very distressed and it is my job to help them see the way forward.
My aim is to move my clients towards the end result. But of course I have to go at their pace. Many people come in to see me for initial advice, after all the future can look quite frightening emotionally, financially and legally. I spend time with them explaining how the divorce process works and what ball park figure we would be looking at by way of a settlement.
I really enjoy dealing with cases that involve a business. Having undertaken a business leadership course I learned about how to value a business properly. How many people does it employ, does it have lots of repeat clients, does it have a strong brand? These are just some of the questions that should be investigated. Some accountants just don’t get this and apply industry standard valuations to a business. My job is find the specialist for that industry, the firm who can carry out a detailed valuation.
I will also be giving advice about making a will and excluding the person from whom you are separating. You do not want them to inherit your estate if you die before your divorce is finalised. And this does happen, more often than you’d think.
My other work relates to Wills, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection. I often see clients who are in the early stages of dementia. I suspect that many couples I see have never even had a discussion with one another about the fact that one of them is losing mental capacity. But after years of watching the dynamics of relationships I can usually spot the signs. One partner doing all of the talking for the other, the latter simply saying yes and no. I treat my older client’s with compassion. I know what they are going through. Many of them say that sorting out their will and Lasting Power of Attorneyhas been a weight off their minds.
I like problem solving and so I’m always giving extra advice when drafting wills. Did you think to apply for a particular state benefit, have you written your life assurance policy so that the monies will be paid directly to your family rather than landing in your estate and thus potentially attracting inheritance tax.
Then there is Probate. This is a huge area of law. Increasingly we are dealing with clients who have no close family left. We are often the executors or we are asked to act on behalf of executors. Being an executor is now a huge task. On an emergency basis we have to obtain empty house insurance, some insurers won’t cover the house once there is no one living there.
Recently we had to deal with a glazier for a smashed window, locks were fixed and new keys cut. We located hidden jewellery and sold it the same day at a gold dealers in town. We threw out old food and organised an auctioneer to visit. I love dealing with the auctioneer, he has so much knowledge. We had the house professionally cleared and cleaned.
Then dealt with an estate agent. I love all of this, when you watch heir hunters on tv there are often huge gaps in information. However, we look at lots of paperwork, photographs, birth and death certificates whilst we are sorting through everything. It’s also important to treat the family home and it’s contents with respect.
Our firm takes part in quite a few charity events, so I might be at a quiz, or hosting Gosforth Dementia Alliance at our office. Or I might be out giving talks, recently I attended a girls school to point out the many ways in which law is a good career for women. I see law as being creative, I have to concentrate to find solutions.
If you require any help, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0191 2846989 or je@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk
If you need help with your divorce or separation, then why not contact us for a Next Steps Divorce Advice Session and to see how we can help you. We can be contacted on:
Family Law Specialists Solicitors Newcastle: 0191 284 6989
Family Law Specialists Solicitors Sunderland: 0191 567 6667
or email us: enquiries@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk
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