Latest news with #GHPLegal
Leader Live
7 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Compensation advice over PTSD caused by Afghan war
Is it too late to claim compensation from the military for PTSD caused by Afghan war? Q: My husband and I were on the brink of divorce, but after having counselling that revealed he is suffering from PTSD I have decided to stay and support him. He served in the armed forces in Afghanistan, finishing his last tour in 2010. Afterwards he was a different person, withdrawn, unstable, prone to violent outbursts over nothing. Over the years things have got worse and, on occasions, he has hit me. I begged him numerous times to get help but he wouldn't accept anything was wrong with him until I said I was leaving. Now he has a diagnosis I feel angry, and I believe we should get compensation for what he went through. He says he would have needed to apply within seven years. Is this right? A: Whilst the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) generally requires compensation to be claimed within seven years, delayed-onset PTSD is recognised and therefore does not necessarily negate the potential for making a claim after that time. In fact, there is evidence of a significant number of veterans who have experienced delayed symptoms and diagnoses, which often get worse after they have left the disciplined environment of the military. The AFCS provides compensation regardless of fault, meaning your husband could claim compensation for his PTSD, even if this was not caused by negligence on the part of the MOD. A specialist lawyer can help him to access the scheme. The key to a successful claim is to establish the link between your husband's PTSD diagnosis and his experiences in Afghanistan. Reports from the medical professionals he has seen, together with evidence of his treatment plan will help to strengthen the viability of a claim. PTSD in military personnel who experienced the horrors of combat can have devastating and life-changing effects on both the sufferer and their family. Proving the severity of those effects will be fundamental to gaining the right level of compensation. • This question has been answered by Claire Parfitt, a solicitor with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194.
Leader Live
26-07-2025
- General
- Leader Live
What happens if my partner dies without making a Will?
What happens to me and our kids if my partner dies without making a Will? Q: My partner got divorced eight years ago before he met me. Due to his marriage failing he does not want to marry again. He also won't make a Will because he says he is too young. My concern is where would it leave me financially if, for example, he died in a car crash, especially as we have had two young children together? A: Unfortunately, it is quite common for younger people not to make a Will, yet it is a fact that more younger people die in car accidents than older people. A further fact is that a partner who is not married to the deceased has no legal right to inherit anything from them if they die intestate, i.e. without making a Will. This can of course be particularly problematic if the couple lived together and had children together, and even more so if the deceased was sole owner of the home, as the surviving partner could be forced to move out. Under the rules of intestacy, if the deceased was unmarried or not in a civil partnership, their estate would be inherited by any children they had. This includes all their children, so if your partner had any children from a previous relationship they would inherit equally with the children he had with you, irrespective of who has/had parental responsibility. Hopefully, if you own a property together you will own it jointly, so that if one of you dies the deceased's share will automatically pass to the surviving partner. But irrespective of this, the only way your partner can ensure that you are adequately provided for in the event of his untimely death would be to make a Will. Without one, your only option would be to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and hope that the Court acted favourably towards you and your partner's family did not challenge it. • This question has been answered by Ulia Choudhry, a partner with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194.
Leader Live
01-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham law firm welcomes Sarah Talbot into new role
Robert Williams, who became an equity partner at GHP Legal in 2002 and was head of the firm's Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Dispute Resolution departments, stepped down to become a consultant working three days a week, following his appointment as 2025-26 President of Cheshire and North Wales Law Society earlier this month. Taking Robert's place as an equity partner is Sarah Talbot, who joined GHP Legal's litigation team as a senior solicitor in 2022. Flintshire-raised Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2013 after studying Law at Liverpool John Moores University part-time whilst raising her children. Read more: North Wales firm launches paid internship scheme with over 50 jobs up for grabs Since qualifying as a solicitor, Sarah has represented both businesses and individuals in a broad range of disputes, including commercial and consumer contracts, property and building issues, professional negligence, data breaches, and inheritance claims. Her clients have included FTSE 100 companies and high-net-worth individuals When she is not working Sarah enjoys travelling and spending time with her family. She also likes to keep fit and enjoys the occasional park run. She once participated in the Three Peaks 24-hour challenge, reaching the summit of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours to raise money for a charitable cause. Read more: 'We're humbled' - Meet the winner of best deli, butchers, farm shop 2025 More recently she took part in a local 5k charity run alongside her colleagues at GHP Legal, raising money for Nightingale House Hospice and making her a perfect fit in the GHP Legal family that is renowned for its charity fundraising and support of local sporting events. Welcoming Sarah into the GHP Legal partner fold, senior partner, Richard Lloyd, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sarah to the partnership. Her deep expertise in civil litigation, strategic insight, and dedication to client service makes her a valuable addition to our team. As we continue to strengthen our litigation offering, Sarah will play a key role in driving excellence and delivering the results our clients expect." Sarah added: "I'm truly honoured to be promoted to Partner at GHP Legal. I want to thank the partnership and my colleagues for their trust and support. It's a privilege to work alongside such a talented team and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the firm in this new chapter."
Leader Live
17-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Concerns over the future of adult autistic daughter
When my autistic daughter reaches 18 will I still be able to make decisions for her? Q: I am a single mum with an autistic daughter aged 17. She is physically able but is non-verbal and will never achieve the mental capacity of an adult. I have taken care of her on my own and fought for her rights all her life. I am now worried what will happen when she reaches 18. Will I still be able to have a say in what happens to her? And what will happen about her financial affairs and wellbeing if something happens to me? A: Once an autistic child in England and Wales turns 18 they become an adult and legally your parental responsibility ends, meaning you no longer have automatic rights to make decisions about their care, education or finances. Until it is formally established through assessments that as an adult your daughter lacks mental capacity to care for herself and make decisions, it will however be deemed that she can make her own decisions about all aspects of her life. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, mental capacity is 'decision specific', So your daughter would need to be assessed in respect of every aspect of her life where she requires help and support in decision-making. In her case it seems likely a Deputy would need to be appointed, which could be you. A Deputy is someone given authority by the Court of Protection to make decisions for a person who lacks capacity. It would ensure your daughter receives the continuing care and provision she needs. You can apply for a Deputyship Order for your daughter's Property and Financial Affairs and/or her Health & Personal Welfare. More than one Deputy can be appointed, to act jointly or severally. There are many issues you will need to consider when seeking to obtain a Deputyship Order, including Education, Medical Services, Income and Finances, Living Arrangements, Safety, Decision-Making and Vocational & Other Services. This may seem overwhelming, but a solicitor can help with all of it. • This question has been answered by Ulia Choudhry, a partner with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194.
Leader Live
10-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Can I redirect inheritance due to me to someone else?
Can I redirect the inheritance that is due to me to someone else? Q: My mother has passed away. She was a wealthy woman and I am to inherit half of her estate. However, I already own a high value estate and I know that my own estate will be subject to inheritance tax when I die. Is there any way that I can redirect the inheritance due to me to my children instead, without my own tax position being impacted? A: Yes, you can redirect your entitlement to someone else by executing a formal "deed of variation". A deed of variation is a legal document that allows a beneficiary of a deceased's estate to vary the terms of a Will. Your deed of variation could vary your late mother's Will so that your children inherit half of her estate instead of you. The changes made in the deed of variation are 'read back' into the Will. This means for the purposes of inheritance and capital gains tax it will be as if the gift was made from your mother's estate and not yours. If you accepted the gift from your mother's estate and then made your own gift in your lifetime to your children, the gift would be considered a 'potentially exempt transfer'. This means that if you died within seven years of making the gift, it would be taken into account as part of your estate, which for you would be problematic as your estate is already above the inheritance tax thresholds. The overall effect being increased inheritance tax being paid from your estate. If you're trying to work out the best way to structure a deed of variation you should seek professional advice, as the last thing you want is for the variation to have unintended consequences for you or the other beneficiaries of the estate. You can enter into a variation before or after a Personal Representative obtains the 'Grant of Probate', but for tax reasons any changes must be made within two years of your mother's death. • This question has been answered by Ulia Choudhry, a partner with GHP Legal. If you would like to speak to someone about this or any other legal matter, please visit our website and use the contact us form, or call us on: Wrexham 01978 291456, Llangollen 01978 860313, Oswestry 01691 659194.
