Posted August 25th, 2012
LIZ TAIT.
Liz is a fantastic solicitor and alternative dispute resolution practitioner.
Formerly the Head of the Family department at Stephensons solicitors, she is now a regular speaker and trainer in the field of collaborative law and believes that it is possible for couples to separate/ divorce with dignity and, where there are children, achieve a child focussed outcome – one where everyone will be OK. Liz is about helping parents through this transition to achieve a “good” divorce – one that is cost effective and one that allows parents to continue being parents in the future by co – parenting their children.
Liz and I are now working with colleagues on Bolton and District POD for Collaborative and Mediation services. We have a number of projects which we are collaborating on as we speak and we hope to announce further details of these in the very near future!
You can download more information here:
http://www.divorcejigsaw.co.uk/
Tags: Advice, co-parenting, Collaborative Law, Divorce, jigsaw, liz tait, Mediation | Posted in Divorce, Uncategorized |
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Posted May 12th, 2011
I am pleased to announce the availability of a financial planning tool for Divorce.
For the first time I have access to a divorce financial planning tool which will enable my clients to see how different settlements will affect them before agreeing to settle. For example, it is able to show the financial consequences of offsetting versus pension sharing or attachment. It can handle maintenance situations or map what happens if one party keeps the marital home and the other the income. Each scenario can be plotted against the other to show which is the most optimum and guidance can be given on the consequences.
I am not aware of any other such planning tool available in the UK and I believe it has particular relevance to Collaborative Law. You can view a dashboard screenshot of the software here which frankly does not do it justice but it gives a decent indication of how visually the software looks.
Effectively, what you are seeing is the two clients’ capital and income positions side by side and as any change is made (e.g. an increase in capital shared to one party) the visual picture changes showing how each client is affected.
It is a superb aid to informed negotiation and agreement.
If this is something you are interested in, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01204 663904 or email phil@thedivorceifa.co.uk
Tags: Collaborative Law, Divorce, Divorce Financial Planning, Divorce Financial Planning Tool, Financial Planning | Posted in Financial Planning |
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Posted September 20th, 2010
Collaborative Law is an alternative approach to divorce.
The collaborative family law process is a relatively new way of dealing with family disputes. Each person appoints their own lawyer but instead of conducting negotiations between you and your partner by letter or phone you meet together to work things out face to face.
Each of you will have your lawyer by your side throughout the entire process and therefore you will benefit from legal advice as you go. The aim of collaborative law is to resolve family disputes without going to court. It is an alternative to a conventional divorce or mediation.
You can find further information on Collaborative Law at the Resolution website – www.resolution.org.uk
You can also find out more information in the attached leaflet.
Brighter Future leaflet
I am currently active in two PODs – Greater Manchester – www.separationsolutions.co.uk and Collaborative Law Merseyside – http://www.collaborativelawmerseyside.co.uk/
If you would like further information on any of the two PODs or any of the solicitors, IFAs, accountants and coaches involved, please feel free to contact me on 0800 092 1229 or email advice@thedivorceifa.co.uk
Tags: Accountants, Brighter Future, Coaches, Collaborative Family Law, Collaborative Law, Collaborative Law Merseyside, Conventional Divorce, Divorce, Family Disputes, Greater Manchester, IFAs, Lawyer, Mediation, Negotiations, POD, PODs, Resolution, Separation Solutions, Solicitors | Posted in Collaborative Law |
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Posted July 12th, 2010
As a Resolution Accredited Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) I am often asked to provide a summary of how we can work with clients through the Collaborative Law process. Below is taken from a flyer which is provided to the lawyers at the Greater Manchester POD.
HOW THE IFA WILL WORK WITH YOU AND YOUR SOLICITOR:
IFAs will be accredited by Resolution to work in the collaborative area, having undertaken training on the technical and cultural aspects involved, and passed an examination on the subject.
The IFA acts as a ‘financial neutral’ – rather than representing one party, their role is to assist all parties in highlighting issues and providing information that enables the collaborative process to move quickly and smoothly.
In addition to their specialist technical knowledge, IFAs can outline options to parties and comment on risk factors (eg in terms of pension options) which solicitors are unable to do as they are not authorised to give financial advice.
IFA’s can attend a first meeting with the Solicitors present, so as to display to the parties how they may add value to the process. At your discretion, IFAs can subsequently meet you without your solicitor being present, so as to control total costs.
EXAMPLES OF WHERE THE IFA IS ABLE TO HELP:
• Tax efficiency and mitigation if assets or investments are being sold as part of the agreement (eg ISAs, Capital Gains Tax issues).
• Pension-sharing issues under occupational final salary schemes, for both the scheme member and the ex-spouse.
• Issues surrounding individual pensions, including retirement options.
• The cost of replacing items under an employee benefits package for the ex-spouse (eg life cover, critical illness cover, private medical insurance).
• Mortgage availability and costings in relation to the marital home.
• Assessment of endowment policies and the options going forward.
• General financial education
• Budgeting exercises and lifetime cashflow projections to determine whether the agreed settlement will be sufficient to support the financial requirements of each party over time.
If you require any further assistance, please contact us on 0800 092 1229 or email advice@thedivorceifa.co.uk
Tags: Budgeting exercises, Capital Gains Tax, Collaborative Law, critical illness cover, Employee benefits, endowment policies, Ex Spouse, Final Salary, financial education, Financial Neutral, Greater Manchester POD, IFA, ISAs, life cover, lifetime cashflow projection, marital home, Member, Mortgage, Occupational Final Salary, Pension, Pension Sharing, POD, private medical insurance, Resolution Accredited, Resolution Accredited IFA, Settlement, Solicitor, Tax efficiency | Posted in Financial Advice |
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