Devonalds Solicitors Banner Image

Devonalds Blog

Services
People
News and Events
Other
Blogs

Devonalds Blog

Probate - What does the Solicitor do?

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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....

New 'Pathfinder' model coming to Family Courts in Wales?

Mikaeli Thomas
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Independent Legal Advice

  • Posted

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, loans, or settlements? Our...

EXPERT GUIDE TO COMPLETING A HOUSE CLEARANCE

  • Posted

  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...

Preparing for a Divorce

Chloe Williams
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

The 10 Steps of Buying / Selling a House

Rhian Derrick
  • Posted
  • Author

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 JOIN CANCER RESEARCH UK'S FREE WILL SERVICE

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Your Road Traffic Accident Claim Checklist

Gerald Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

If you are involved in a road traffic accident where someone else was wholly or partially at fault, it is important to take the right steps, both at the scene of the accident and in the following days. This will help to ensure that you stay protected legally...

5 common types of medical negligence you can claim for

  • Posted

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...

Reasons why now is a great time to buy property in Wales

  • Posted

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...

5 Reasons to bring an injury claim sooner rather than later

  • Posted

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?

Gerald Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Can I get Legal Aid for family matters?

  • Posted

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...

Re-Launch of the Devonalds & Barnardo's FREE WILL SCHEME!

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Maintaining relationships with your children after separation

  • Posted

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...

It's not all about the money...

Gerald Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Landlords - is the notice you have served on your tenant valid?

  • Posted

Landlords, are your Section 21 Notices Valid? The Effect of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 Every Landlord will at one stage find them self in a situation where they require possession of their property back from a Tenant. One option is to follow the...

What happens to my 'online life' after my death?

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Help! I've lost the title deeds to my house!

Rhian Derrick
  • Posted
  • Author

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. ...

Why use a solicitor to sell your business?

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

It is essential to take correct and accurate legal advice to avoid any comeback and any ongoing liability once you have disposed of your business. Here at Devonalds we have years of experience of dealing with all manner of commercial law and business...

Workplace Injuries: What are my Rights?

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Five Secrets of Buying a Residential Property At Auction

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Divorce and financial matters

  • Posted

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...

Getting a Divorce: First Steps to Take

Sian Roberts
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Will Disputes on the Rise

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

When someone passes away, their Will acts as a guide to how their assets will be distributed, and it is the responsibility of the executor to carry out these wishes. For the majority of cases, all goes to plan and the estate is settled as set out in the...

Personal Injury Claims and Third Party Capture - what is it?

Gerald Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Why You Should Prepare A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Happy 35th Birthday to Devonalds!

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Top Five Tips On Avoiding Pitfalls When Buying Your First Home

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Cohabitation Agreements - protecting yourself for the future

  • Posted

Unmarried Couples and Families Statistics show that over six million people now live together as a couple in the UK without being married. People often think that couples who have been living together for a long period of time are ‘common...

Top Five Actions To Take If You Have Been In a Road Traffic Accident

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

Many people have been involved in a road traffic accident at some point in their lives, be it a rear-end shunt or being knocked off their bike as a child.  Even a minor road traffic accident can leave you badly shaken.  But moderate/severe events...

Why You Should Use a Solicitor for Your Will - and Avoid a DIY Disaster!

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Government Housing White Paper published - What does it mean for me?

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

How to limit the impact of divorce on children

  • Posted

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...

Do you need a Divorce? Devonalds are here to help.

  • Posted

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...

Renting out a Property: What are your obligations as a Landlord?

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

There are around 2 million private landlords across the UK, renting out approximately 5 million properties. It can certainly be an excellent source of income, but letting out a property is not without its legal responsibilities. Every residential landlord...

5 Things You Might Not Know About Divorce

  • Posted

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...

First-time Buyers Guide to Conveyancing

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

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...

Shake The Salt to keep paths clear this Winter

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

Devonalds Solicitors have teamed up with ‘SHOUT’, the Bridgend Over 50’s group, to give pensioners containers of special salt to sprinkle over their paths and driveways during icy conditions. The project, called ‘Shake The...

Probate: What to do when someone passes away

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

What steps do you need to take if you’re nominated as the executor of a Will? And what needs to be done when someone passes away without a Will? If you’re starting out on the path to tying up someone’s financial affairs, this blog runs through what you can expect.

5 Common Will Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

Writing a Will isn’t something that is high on the agenda for most people – after all, having to consider the rather morbid topic of one’s passing isn’t much fun. It’s arguably one of the most important documents you’ll...

Exciting times for Devonalds

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

New brand, new website, new office… and once again we are Devonalds Solicitors! If you’re particularly observant, you may have noticed there have been a few small changes around here. And you’d be right – we’re pleased to...

Care Home Fees and the Family Home

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

- and how to safeguard your home by making a Property Protection Trust Will. Care home fees later in life can be a worry – even though people are living longer, there is a chance that one or even both partners in a family home will require long-term...

New Consumer Advice Service!

  • Posted

Issues with faulty goods or sub-standard service? Feel like you've been ripped off? Pop in to our advice clinic every Wednesday at our Tonypandy office today to speak to our trading standards expert Barbara Davies. After establishing with Barbara what...

The Right to Purchase Your Freehold at a Reasonable Market Value

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

Leaseholders have a legal right under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 to buy the freehold of their house if they meet certain qualifying criteria. Sadly, we see too often that leaseholders are held to ransom by Freeholders who ask extortionate prices without...

Local Residents having issues with buying freeholds in Llantwit Fardre

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

Live in Llantwit Fardre and haven't bought the freehold of your family home yet? Did you see BBC's X-Ray program last night about the trouble local residents are having in trying to purchase their Freehold from the freeholder? Have a look at the...

Check our top tips for dealing with a loved ones estate after they pass...

Joel Evans
  • Posted
  • Author

TOP TIPS for executors when dealing with a loved one’s estate. Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, especially when coupled with going through the often complex process of sorting out their estate. To help ease this pressure and make...

Confused about the buying and selling process? No problem!

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

Buying or selling your home is one of the most stressful things in life - to make things easier we have put together a brill new guide to the buying and selling process and the steps involved. Simply email us and we'll send you a comprehensive PDF guide...

A Lasting Power of Attorney - giving you peace of mind for the future.

Alex Kilby
  • Posted
  • Author

Everybody wants to live long, but none of us want to get old. Lots of people make a Will, to provide for their friends and family after their days, but what about your own health and wellbeing when you are still around? Who will look after you? It is very...

Introducing the new Devonalds Family Recommend a Friend Scheme!

  • Posted

If you know someone who needs help with the legal aspects of a divorce or relationship breakdown and you recommend them to us, we will make a thank you payment to you of £50! We are here to help with all aspects of divorce, financial matters and...

  • Page 1 of 2