Question 1 – Collaborative Law – what is it?
Answer – This is an integrated cross-disciplinary system for problem solving in a divorce situation. This requires collaborative lawyers to co-ordinate their work with other collaborative professionals who specialise in addressing the emotional and financial problems of divorce.

Imagine – you have been separated from your spouse of 15 years for some time now. You have led separate lives, and you have sorted out your own divorce proceedings. You decide to celebrate your new single status by purchasing a Lottery ticket, or perhaps enjoying a trip to the Casino, or having a flutter on the horses.

After many years of complaints to the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) about poor quality Will drafting by unqualified and unregulated Will writers, the panel have now concluded that that Will writing services should be regulated.

Rebecca Haddon, Solicitor and member of Solicitors for the Elderly hosts a question and answer session on Powers of Attorney and considers why everyone should have 'the power'....

After many years of complaints to the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) about poor quality Will drafting by unqualified and unregulated Will writers, the panel have now concluded that that Will writing services should be regulated.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the wider community, Justine Flack, Associate Solicitor within the Family Team at Howes Percival has been working with the Leicestershire Education Business Company on their Justice Ambassador's Programme. This supports local schools and colleges who offer law on their curriculum or the Diploma in Society, Health and Development. The programme links the schools and colleges with professionals who work within the justice sector allowing the students to interact with the professionals and to discuss their experience at work.

Howes Percival's Private Client and Wealth Management Team continues to grow from strength to strength.

Elizabeth Young, Director of Private Client Services at Howes Percival has recently been selected to be re-appointed to the Court of Protection Panel of Professional Deputies.

Paul McCartney likes being in love. Now aged 68, he has just announced his engagement to Nancy Shevell, a 51 year old New York Businesswoman.

The government is intending to reduce the rate of Inheritance Tax ("IHT") payable from 40% to 36% where 10% or more of the residuary estate is left to charity.

Grandparents play an invaluable role in society and in family life, contributing their life experience, wisdom and love. Most families would also agree that their contribution to child care can often be invaluable. Indeed a recent survey of 1,000 grandparents has found that on average grandparents care for two children for around thirteen hours a week, and with the equivalent child minding costs standing at almost £2,400 per child annually, this amounts to a saving of 33.6 billion pounds per year. Grandparents therefore play a vital role contributing to the economy.

Grandparents play an invaluable role in society and in family life, contributing their life experience, wisdom and love. Most families would also agree that their contribution to child care can often be invaluable. Indeed a recent survey of 1,000 grandparents has found that on average grandparents care for two children for around thirteen hours a week, and with the equivalent child minding costs standing at almost £2,400 per child annually, this amounts to a saving of 33.6 billion pounds per year. Grandparents therefore play a vital role contributing to the economy.

Speculation regarding Kate Middleton’s wedding dress is rife. This follows supposition regarding the proposed guest list, which follows deliberation as to the arrangements for the stag night and hen party, and no doubt soon will emerge consideration as to wedding gifts.

So who should decide who gets the house, what should happen to the business, where the children should live, and how your personal possessions should be divided in the event of family breakdown?

Couples negotiating a financial settlement within divorce proceedings are often advised to try and achieve a “cleanbreak”.

A recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Imerman v Tchenguiz could have serious consequences for couples involved in financial negotiations surrounding their divorce.

Howes Percival's Private Client and Wealth Management Team continues to grow from strength to strength. Since Jane Cowley joined the firm to head up the Private client and Wealth Management Team, from a regional rival at the start of April 2010, Jane has secured high profile wins for the firm and established a clear market position both locally and nationally.

Experienced Member of the Institute of Legal Executives, Kate Scammell has joined the expanding Family and Private Client teams at Howes Percival LLP in the East Midlands, working from the firm's East Midland's offices.

The Family Law Team at Howes Percival LLP are now offering their clients a fixed fee arrangement in undefended divorce cases.

Justice Secretary, Mr Kenneth Clark, wants to save at least £40million from the annual justice budget of £2.1billion, and suggests State funded legal assistance for divorce should cease.

Finding out that your partner has been having an affair can be completely devastating and often results in the relationship breaking down. Invariably, by their nature, affairs are carried out in secret. But what impact can they have on financial matters if they come to light?

Experienced Legal Executive Sandra Stephens has joined the expanding Family Law team at Howes Percival LLP in the East Midlands, working from the firm's Leicester office.

Jane Cowley, Head of the Family Law and East Midlands Private Client Teams at Howes Percival LLP has been co-opted to the Board of Relate Leicestershire as a Director and Trustee. Relate is the country’s largest provider of relationship support. They help 150,000 people of all ages every year at a national network of 77 Centres based at 600 locations, as well as by phone, online and via SMS text.

Prenuptial Agreements are entered into by two people who intend to marry one another or become civil partners. The purpose of the Agreement is to introduce some certainty into arrangements relating to property, assets and financial provision between the parties should the marriage fail.

Living Together Agreements are made between two people who are living together or intend to live together, which can regulate the terms of the relationship which is ongoing and make provision for the future should it break down.

Howes Percival senior family law solicitor Justine Flack has qualified as a Collaborative Lawyer. Both Jane Cowley, who heads up Howes Percival’s family team, and Justine are now able to offer the collaborative law approach as a means of settling disputes between separating couples...

The answer to this question seems fairly obvious. Isn't it someone who nurtures and raises a child? Justine Flack, Family Law Solicitor at Howes Percival, goes on to explain that the actual answer may be more involved, particularly when considering the financial responsibilities which a parent has...

A happy relationship involves making plans and having hopes for the future. Family breakdown or separation can often mean such hopes and expectations change, and are replaced by fear and uncertainty. Many decisions will have to be made which will determine your future...

Leicestershire people who turn to Relate when their marriages are in trouble can now call a free telephone helpline and talk to Howes Percival's Family Law team. It’s the first time Relate Leicestershire has teamed up with a Leicester law firm to offer such a service...

My son wants to buy his first house with his girlfriend who he has only been in a relationship with for a few months. My husband and I want to help him, either by way of a loan or a cash gift...

Wanting to live with someone and not have the commitment of marriage is an option which many people choose. But what are the financial consequences if you split up? Justine Flack, Family Law Solicitor at Howes Percival, answers a common question...

Most small businesses start as partnerships, but break down within a year. Friendship alone is not necessarily a good basis for a successful business partnership. Relationships which work well when people are colleagues...

The World Cup can spell heartache off the pitch for married couples, warns a leading Leicestershire divorce lawyer, as wives can feel abandoned and neglected by husbands watching back-to-back matches every day...

Senior Solicitor, Justine Flack, has joined the new and growing Family Law Team at Howes Percival LLP in the East Midlands, working in their Leicester and Northampton Offices. Justine is accredited by the Law Society as a Family Law Solicitor....

Marriage breakdown is always difficult, but it can appear doubly daunting if your husband or wife is also your business partner. Jane Cowley, Family Law Partner and Head of the East Midlands Private Client Group at Howes Percival LLP, answers a common question....

Preparing for your wedding should include planning your financial affairs. What is a Prenuptial Agreement and how wise is it to start married life by planning for all eventualities? Jane Cowley, Family Law Partner and Head of the East Midlands Private Client Group at Howes Percival LLP, answers a common question...

Howes Percival has brought in former Harvey Ingram partner Jane Cowley to head its new family law team, as the firm forges ahead with plans to expand its private client offering.

One area which comes under stress during times of economic uncertainty is family life.

Law firm Howes Percival is expanding its Leicester office with the creation of 10 jobs. The company is to launch a family law division, which will be headed by Jane Cowley after her move from rival Harvey Ingram...

Jane Cowley is now Head of Family Law and the East Midlands Private Client Group at Howes Percival. Jane Cowley was previously Partner and Head of Family Law at Harvey Ingram...

The leading corporate law firm Howes Percival is expanding into family law, with the highly significant arrival of nationally renowned lawyer Jane Cowley as a new partner to head a new team and oversee a three-fold increase in the private client...