24 August 2016
What happens to a divorce settlement if a spouse dies during or after divorce proceedings?
Going through a divorce can be both emotionally distressing and technically challenging at the best of times. However, in the event of one spouse dying during or shortly after divorce proceedings it can bring an added element of complication. Although this is thankfully a very rare occurrence, there are options to consider depending on the stage divorce proceedings have reached.
8 August 2016
Debts and Death
"He that dies pays all debts," says Shakespeare in the Tempest. Indeed, debts are payable from a deceased’s estate on their passing - and not by their beneficiaries or family if the estate has insufficient assets to cover the liabilities.
5 August 2016
Laugh after Death
Wills so often reflect not only the wishes of a testator, but their character and sense of humour (good and bad!). For some, the temptation to cause mischief or raise a smile from beyond the grave is too much to resist.
14 July 2016
Providing for your Pokémon in your Will
Everyone is talking about Pokémon Go but no one is asking the most important question of all – what happens to your Pokémon when you die?
7 April 2016
The death of a child without a will — is it time to change the law?
As a Court of Protection practitioner acting for many clients with catastrophic injuries it is a sad but unavoidable fact that I will occasionally receive a call advising me of the unexpected death of a client. When this has happened it affects me deeply, particularly when it involves a child, so I can only imagine what my client’s family is going through. I like to develop strong relationships with my clients based not just on our professional dealings but also in a personal capacity. The decisions I take can have a significant impact on their lives and I believe it makes me a better lawyer if I take the time to know my client on a personal level. As a result, you feel more keenly the loss of a client you have come to know well over a long period of time.
A slightly amended version of this blog appeared on The Times in April 2016.
