Devonalds Solicitors Bridgend are delighted to offer free Wills to clients as part of our partnership with the Cancer Research UK Will Writing Service. Under this service, you can have a standard Will or pair of Wills drafted by one of our Law Society...
Devonalds Blog
When someone lacks the mental capacity to make decisions about their health, finances and other important issues, a family member, friend or professional usually has to step in to help. Becoming a Court of Protection deputy can give you the legal authority...
When someone dies, dealing with their estate can feel overwhelming, particularly for executors and family members who are already grieving. A common question that arises is whether you need probate if there is a Will, or whether having a Will avoids the...
When someone dies without leaving a valid Will, their estate still needs to be dealt with. In these circumstances, letters of administration are required to give legal authority to manage and distribute the estate. For family members and beneficiaries,...
Dealing with the estate of someone who has died can feel overwhelming, particularly if you have been named as an executor. One of the first legal steps you may encounter is applying for a grant of probate. Understanding what a grant of probate is, when it is...
Dealing with the estate of someone who has died can feel overwhelming, particularly when you are unsure whether probate is necessary. Having the right support in your corner is essential to ensure the process is completed with dignity and efficiency. Many...
Making a Will is one of the most important steps couples can take to protect one another and provide certainty for their family. For many couples in England and Wales, mirror Wills provide a practical and cost-effective way to plan their estates together...
When making a Will, many people focus on who will inherit their assets but give less thought to who will actually carry out their wishes. This is where the executor of a Will plays a crucial role. Choosing the right executor is just as important as deciding...
When preparing a Will, most people focus on who will inherit their estate. However, the way a Will is signed and witnessed is just as important. If the witnessing rules are not followed correctly, the Will can be challenged, delayed, or certain gifts may...
When you appoint someone to act on your behalf under a Lasting Power of Attorney, you place significant trust in that person. But what happens if concerns arise about how an attorney is managing your affairs? Can their decisions be challenged or overridden? ...
Setting up a lasting power of attorney (LPA) is one of the most important legal arrangements you can make. It allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity or can no longer manage your affairs. One of the first...
When someone passes away, families are often left dealing with both emotional loss and practical responsibilities. One of the most common legal questions we are asked is: Does a Power of Attorney end at death? If you have been acting as an attorney under a...
Planning for the future means thinking about what would happen if you were no longer able to make decisions for yourself. One of the most effective ways to prepare is by putting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. But what is a lasting power of...
We met with Ryan from Cancer Research UK recently and received this amazing certificate! Our very generous clients have now helped pledge a massive £6 MILLION to Cancer Research UK via the Will-Writing service! Legacy giving makes up...
Making practical arrangements in the wake of a loved one’s death can be very challenging, particularly if you have no previous experience with how the probate process works. If you find yourself in such a situation, one of the first questions you are...
We understand that, for many people, one of the biggest hurdles to writing a Will is not knowing what you can and cannot include. Knowing what goes into a Will is extremely important, especially as they are bespoke documents. You need to ensure that you...
In most cases, when someone dies, the executors of their Will need to apply for a grant of probate to have the legal authority to deal with their estate. Applying for probate can be an intimidating prospect, especially if you have no prior experience with...
A Will is an important legal document that sets out how your assets will be distributed and ensures your wishes are respected after you pass away. However, life circumstances can change, and you may need to make adjustments to your Will without rewriting it...
Creating a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wishes are carried out after you pass away. It provides peace of mind that your assets will be distributed as you intend, and that your loved ones will be cared for in accordance...
This short animated video explains how a solicitor can assist with the process of dealing with someone's estate. Meet Jim – he’s retired now. Throughout his life Jim has acquired a number of assets. He owns a house and holiday chalet....
Changes are coming to Family Courts in Wales - What is the new ‘Pathfinder’ model? Pathfinder is a brand-new form of family dispute resolution that the family courts in Wales will begin interpreting on April 29 th . Its approach revolves...
If you’re in search of independent legal advice near you, our team of skilled solicitors can assist you with a range of matters. Do you require professional legal guidance before committing to agreements like mortgages or loans? Our approachable team...
Our friends at Full Circle Recycling have provided this expert guide to completing a house clearance: Conducting a house clearance can be a daunting task, but with proper planning and organisation, it can be a manageable and efficient...
Ending a marriage is difficult. However, if you have come to the conclusion that the marriage is over, there are many ways in which this my impact upon your life. It may be helpful to take some time to reflect upon your decision, in certain circumstances it...
This short video explains the 10 steps completed by your solicitor when you are buying and/or selling a house. Step 1: The Estate Agent finds a buyer, agrees the price, then writes to the Solicitors with the details. Step 2: The Solicitor...
Devonalds Solicitors are delighted to announce we have joined the Cancer Research UK Free Will Scheme. Under the scheme, you can have a standard Will drafted by one of our Law Society accredited solicitors completely free of charge. We’re joining...
The NHS deals with 1 million patients every 36 hours and with more than 100,000 unfilled staff vacancies across the Service, it is perhaps not surprising that mistakes happen. Unfortunately for patients, medical mistakes can have very serious...
As property prices and economic growth languish in other parts of the UK, Wales is flourishing, with house prices predicted to rise by 20 percent over the next five years. In September 2018, the average cost of a home in Wales reached an all-time high of...
Most people are aware that to bring a claim for personal injuries there are time limits involved, which for the majority of adult claimants is 3 years from the date the accident occurred. Here at Devonalds we understand that following an accident,...
Have you been involved in an accident on or with a Bus? Our Partner Gerald Evans explains what you need to do. Most people are aware that if they are a passenger in a car and that car is involved in a road traffic accident that they may be entitled...
Many people think that Legal Aid is no longer available for family matters, however, whilst there are many restrictions on who can receive legal aid, it is still available for some people. Legal aid is always available to a parent who is involved in...
We’re delighted to officially announce the re-launch of our partnership with Barnardo’s. Under the scheme, if you or your partner are aged over 55, then you can have a standard Will or pair of Wills made completely free of charge. H ow does...
When parents split up the questions about where your children will live and how will each parent get to spend time with them will naturally arise. It is important to keep your children informed about what you are planning and listen to their opinions...
One of the first things you may think of if you are unfortunately injured due to the fault of someone else is “how much compensation would I be entitled to”. Whilst getting you the correct personal injury compensation is always important to us...
What happens to my ‘online life’ after my death? More and more of our lives are spent online. Your accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; your online banking accounts; your photos and videos stored in ‘the cloud’; or your...
You’ve searched the house high and low and still can’t find the title deeds, what can be done? This can be a daunting position to find yourself in, but here at Devonalds we have years of experience dealing with lost or mislaid title deeds. ...
As the saying goes, accidents happen. But the workplace can be an especially hazardous place: in 2015/16 a staggering 621,000 workplace accidents were reported. Every employer, big or small, has a certain set of responsibilities to keep their employees safe...
Buying a property at auction is becoming increasingly popular in the UK residential property market. Because once the hammer falls, the sale is done, auction sales can create more excitement than buying a home via a listing with an estate agent or...
You may think that that dealing with your own divorce or dissolution of civil partnership is easier and more cost effective than instructing a Solicitor to deal with it for you. Unfortunately the opposite can be the case. You may think that once the...
You’ve got your reasons; you’ve made up your mind – but what happens next? When you’ve made the decision to seek a divorce , the path ahead can feel incredibly daunting. We’ve put together a quick guide on what to expect from...
Third Party Capture Third party capture is the situation where an Insurer attempts to persuade an injured person to settle a claim directly with the insurer and not to use a Solicitor. When you contact your insurance company and report an accident, they...
Assessing risk has never been a strength of humans. To borrow the lyrics from the classic ‘Sunscreen’ song - Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Quindon Tarver: The real troubles in your life are apt to be things That never...
So, today April 1st marks the 35th Birthday of Devonalds Solicitors - April fools day! Devonalds was founded in 1982 by the late Mr D Lyn Devonald, with the first office being opened in Porth on the 1st April. Our recently retired Partner, Phil...
Purchasing your first home is incredibly exciting but also a little daunting. This is, after all, one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. At Devonalds Solicitors we want to share in the happiness of buying your first home, making the...
We can all appreciate the value of a bit of Do-It-Yourself. It can be a great way to save some money on things you’d normally have to pay a professional for. But as many have found out through DIY disasters, sometimes it could have been better to get a...
The Government’s long-awaited white paper titled ‘Fixing Our Broken Housing Market’ was finally published recently, met with a lot of analysis and a fairly mixed reaction. “A housing market that works for everyone” is the...
Divorce can be an emotional and all assuming experience but it is important not to overlook what is most important to you – your children. There is a wealth of information and research on the impact of divorce on children and although it is usually...
Whether you and your partner have agreed amicably to separate or you have been unfortunate to be involved in a harsh separation, 2017 could be the year to get yourself sorted and have a fresh start for the future. Here at Devonalds, we offer a fixed fee...
Going through a divorce is undeniably one of the most stressful things you’ll have to deal with. If you’ve never been through it before, it can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone – in 2014, there were 111,169 divorces in...
Getting ready to take that first step onto the property ladder is a very exciting time. But if you’re new to buying property, it can often feel like there’s a lot to take in, and conveyancing can certainly seem like a bit of a mystery for some...
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