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What is a Deed of Variation?

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A Deed of Variation is a legal document that allows beneficiaries to redirect the way a deceased person’s estate is distributed after their death by altering the Will or Rules of Intestacy. The purpose of this is

Non-Molestation Orders – what do I need to know?

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When allegations of domestic abuse are made there are different remedies available to the Court; there are two main types of Family Court Order to protect someone from domestic abuse, Non-Molestation Orders (NMO) and Occupation Orders (OO).

Can an Amicable Divorce Still Be Unfair?

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An amicable divorce and a fair financial settlement are not necessarily the same thing. Many couples want to avoid conflict and reach an agreement between themselves. That can be a positive approach, but it is important to

Causing Serious Injury by Careless Driving

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The offence was introduced in 2022 for those who committed careless driving where serious injury is caused. What is careless driving? Careless driving, which can also be referred to as driving without due care and attention, is

Can I challenge an adoption order?

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If an Adoption Order has not yet been made, a birth parent may apply to the Court for permission to oppose it. The Court determines whether to grant this permission on a case-by-case basis. However, to be

Child Arrangements Solicitor

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If you are separating from your child’s other parent and cannot agree on where your child will live or how often they will see each of you, you may be looking for a solicitor who can assist

Child Arrangements Solicitor Near Me

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If you are searching for a ‘child custody solicitor near me’, the results will list the firms nearby, but they will not indicate who is capable of achieving the right outcome for you and your child. What

Child Arrangements Order Solicitor

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If you are looking for a solicitor who deals with Child Arrangements Orders, the specialist Family Team at Johnson Astills can help. A Child Arrangements Order, as it is formally known, is the order the family court

Child Arrangement Solicitors UK

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Parents searching for ‘child custody solicitors UK’ are usually dealing with one of a small number of situations, such as a separation where arrangements for the children cannot be agreed, an existing arrangement that has broken down,

Parental Responsibility Solicitor

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Parental responsibility is one of the most important and least understood concepts in family law, and questions about it are among the most common reasons parents contact a solicitor who can deal and advise them in relation

What is a Pension Report?

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When considering the finances that arise out of a divorce, you may be required to obtain a pension report. But what is a pension report, and why are you being asked to obtain one? Why do I

Child Arrangements Solicitor

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When parents separate, few questions matter more than where the children will live and how they will maintain a relationship with both parents. Many people search for a ‘child custody solicitor’ when they are facing these decisions,

High Net Worth Divorce

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At the highest end of the wealth scale, divorce can be a complex exercise in untangling sophisticated financial arrangements while protecting reputation, privacy, and family interests across generations. A high net worth divorce typically involves operating businesses,

Pension Sharing Order

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Where a separating couple decide that one spouse’s pension should be divided between them, that division is carried out by a specific court order, known as a ‘pension sharing order’. Understanding what pension sharing orders are, and

Solicitor For Child Custody

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Adjusting with your child not living with you full time is one of the hardest parts of any separation, and putting arrangements in place for your child can be a source of considerable tension. Parents often look

Our Commitment as Dementia Friends

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At Johnson Astills, we understand that dementia affects not only those living with the condition, but also their families and loved ones. Our Wills & Probate team, regularly meet clients who may be living with dementia or

Lifetime Lawyers

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We all experience moments in our lives when we feel vulnerable – perhaps due to mental or physical illness, grieving a loved one or simply facing difficult decisions. At times like these, we often need to seek

Child Arrangements and the Summer Holidays

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The school summer holidays can be a lovely opportunity to spend with your children, but for parents who have separated, it can be a difficult time to navigate. There are many issues that can crop up about

What is special guardianship?

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Special guardianship is a family court order that allows a child or young person to live with someone other than their parents, providing a long-term care solution. The person(s) with whom the child lives with will become the child’s special

Can I include Funeral Wishes in my Will?

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Funeral wishes in a Will are not legally binding. This is because often the funeral takes place before the Will is read. Whilst we recommend including your funeral wishes in your Will (i.e. cremation or burial), our

Do I have to attend a Pre-Proceedings Meeting?

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Yes, you must attend a Pre-Proceedings meeting if you have received a Pre-Proceedings letter. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible after receiving the letter, and a legal representative can attend the meeting with you.

What is the current divorce process in the UK?

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There are 4 main stages to the divorce process: The application – made either solely or jointly with your spouse. The acknowledgement of service form completed by the Respondent (this does not apply if the application is

Can I attend arbitration for children matters?

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The Court process is lengthy, unpleasant and acrimonious, and can often result in parents facing large invoices for legal fees regarding sometimes relatively trivial matters. There are alternatives, but most people don’t consider these in relation to

What is Threshold?

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If you are involved in Care Proceedings, you may hear professionals talking about ‘threshold’ being met. In simple terms threshold is the legal test that the Court must be satisfied about before it can make Care or

Should I get a Pre-Nuptial Agreement?

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If you are engaged to be married, the last thing on your mind is likely to be the division of your finances should you end up divorcing the person that you are shortly to marry. However, it

What is a Letter of Wishes?

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A Letter of Wishes is a confidential and non-binding document that should be read in conjunction with your Will. The aim of a Letter of Wishes is not to replace your Will, but to guide your Executors

‘Thank you so much. We needed your help and support in such a vulnerable time in our lives.’

‘Although our partnership was under unpleasant circumstances, working with you make it a pleasure! I can’t thank you enough for making these months a positive experience as I always was assured of your support in the background. I will not hesitate to recommend you highly to anyone who needs your services.’

‘Having had experience of your organisation, my confidence in you grew. I would have no hesitation in asking you for any necessary representation in the future. Relatives and friends have already been told of my satisfaction. Thank you and well done!’

‘I am perfectly satisfied with the way the case was handled. My solicitor was very efficient, easy to communicate with and was very clear on what the outcome would or could be and who worked well.’

‘Thank you for your kindness. Sometimes it is not easy when you are trying to express how you gave us happiness. A very big thank you!’

‘I cannot fault my experience with Johnson Astills Solicitors. Throughout this difficult time I was made to feel secure, supported and validated – money can’t actually buy these things.’