World Alzheimer's Day
Ann Kinder • 21 September 2020
Today is World Alzeimer’s Day, part of an international campaign marking every September as World Alzeimer’s Month.
The focus is on raising awareness of the global challenge of Dementia. There is no cure for this condition but there is an abundance of help and support available for people with Alzeimer’s disease, their family and carers.
Alzeimer’s Disease International state that there is one new case of Dementia worldwide every three seconds. Furthermore, nearly 80% of the general public worry about developing Dementia at some stage in their lives.
Dementia should not be stigmatised. The impairment of memory and other mental functions can have legal implications in regard to a person’s capacity to deal with their affairs.
The Elder Law Team at Donnelly & Kinder can provide legal support to help improve the lives of Dementia sufferers and their families.
Call our Elder Law Team on 02890244999.
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Common Law Marriage – The Myth Are you in a living with your partner but remain unmarried? You may think you are in a ‘Common Law Marriage,’ but in fact, no such thing exists. Unmarried couples do not have the same legal obligations to one another as their married counterparts. Unfortunately, this means that if a separation occurs, a multitude of issues can arise in relation to property and division of finances. Unless assets are held jointly, unmarried couples have limited recourse to an ex-partner’s property, financial assets, or belongings, pension or financial support regardless of the duration of the relationship. If living together with a joint mortgage it is important to recognise that as both parties are named jointly on the mortgage, regardless of who remains living in the property, both are jointly and independently liable for the mortgage payments. This often leaves one partner in a very vulnerable position where they cannot afford to pay the full mortgage and the other refuses to contribute. If you have a joint mortgage and the relationship breaks down, it is often the case that one partner will make financial enquiries to secure a mortgage in their sole name. This is not always possible though depending on financial circumstances. In some cases, it may be possible to make a financial claim against an ex-partner, even if you weren’t married but this will all depend on the circumstances. The legal consequences of living with your partner can be widespread but unfortunately cohabiting couples rarely seek legal advice until the relationship breaks down. This can leave many couples in a stressful and vulnerable situation. You should therefore seek legal advice at an early stage if you are entering into a cohabitation relationship. At this early stage, our office can assist you in drafting a written Cohabitation Agreement on what is to happen in the event of subsequent separation and in so far as it affects property. At Donnelly & Kinder we can provide specialist tailored advice in this particular area of law and provide guidance in terms of dispute resolution, division of assets and all aspects of child law for married and unmarried couples alike. Please contact info@donnellykinder.com or phone us at 02890 244 999 for more information.
Why Complex Personal Injury Cases Require Specialist Expertise Personal injury law is constantly evolving. In 2025, complex personal injury claims involving serious injuries, industrial diseases, and medical negligence are becoming more common as low-value claims decline. If you or a loved one is facing a complex injury claim, understanding why specialist legal expertise matters can help you secure the best outcome. What Are Complex Personal Injury Cases? Complex PI cases often include: Catastrophic injuries such as brain or spinal damage Industrial disease claims (e.g., asbestosis, mesothelioma) Medical negligence and delayed diagnosis cases Claims requiring expert medical evidence Situations with multiple defendants or complex liability These claims usually involve high-value compensation and require in-depth legal and medical knowledge. Why Choose a Specialist Personal Injury Solicitor? 1. Expert Medical Knowledge and Case Preparation Specialist solicitors collaborate with medical experts to interpret clinical evidence and build strong cases that support maximum compensation. 2. Skilled Case Management Handling complex claims demands meticulous organization, coordination of evidence, and meeting strict legal deadlines. 3. Compassionate Client Support Serious injuries often cause emotional and financial hardship. Specialist solicitors provide tailored advice and ongoing support throughout your claim. 4. Maximising Your Compensation From long-term care costs to lost earnings and rehabilitation, experienced solicitors ensure you receive comprehensive damages. 5. Navigating Legal and Procedural Complexities Experienced teams are adept at managing negotiations, court proceedings, and interactions with multiple insurers or defendants. Real-Life Case Studies Brain Injury and Spinal fractures Claim Following a severe workplace accident, we secured a significant settlement for our client who also had a claim for future wage loss, loss of pension and prejudice on the labour market. Industrial Disease: Asbestosis We successfully represented a client exposed to asbestos at work, tracing liability across several companies to obtain substantial compensation. Accident at work – pelvis and groin injuries The contractor denied he owed any duty to the subcontractor who fell from makeshift scaffolding suffering a ruptured urethra and injuries to his perineum, lower abdomen and back. We secured a six figure sum for him without the need for a court hearing. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How long do complex personal injury claims take? These cases can take months to years due to extensive medical assessments and legal processes. Will my case go to court? Most cases settle outside of court, but your solicitor will prepare to litigate if needed. How is compensation calculated? Compensation considers medical expenses, lost earnings, care needs, pain and suffering, and future financial losses. Contact Donnelly & Kinder for Expert Personal Injury Advice If you’re dealing with a complex personal injury claim, you need a solicitor with specialist knowledge and experience. At Donnelly & Kinder, we combine legal expertise with compassionate client care to secure the best results. Call or email us today for a free, confidential consultation
Are you buying your first home? If you are a first-time buyer searching for your first home the process can seem daunting and overwhelming. At Donnelly & Kinder our experienced team have been providing expert conveyancing services for over 20 years, and we can help make the process as seamless as possible. The process of buying your first home begins with the Estate Agent. Once you have viewed the property of your dreams you will need to make an offer with the Estate Agent. Once your offer is accepted you will then be asked to provide the Estate Agents with our details. We will then receive the details of your purchase, and we can begin our work. If you are obtaining a Mortgage to assist with the purchase, our experienced team can point you in the right direction. Appointing a Mortgage Advisor may assist you at this stage and we would be happy to refer you to a local and reputable Mortgage Advisor. Once your Mortgage Offer is received, we will also act for your Lender in the transaction. We ensure that you thoroughly advised as to the legal implications of a mortgage so that you can make the best decision possible. Additionally, if you are using a Help to Buy ISA or a Lifetime ISA to assist with your purchase, we will use our experience and expert advise to guide you. We have a wealth of experience when it comes to ISAs and we can advise you what steps are taken to ensure these funds, together with any bonuses due, are drawn down accurately and in a timely manner. We will then liaise with the Seller’s Solicitor requesting Title Deeds and a contract for the property in sale. Our expert team will then review all documentation received and raise any relevant queries. Once we have received everything that we need to satisfy us in respect to the Title to the property, we will then arrange an appointment to meet with you. At this appointment you will be provided with a fulsome report on title, and we will take you through everything you need to know. At this meeting you will sign the Contract and your Mortgage documentation. We will also discuss a completion date that suits both you and the Seller. We will release the signed Contract to the Seller and await the returned countersigned Contract. Once all parties have signed the Contract and it is returned, it is legally binding. We will request your Mortgage Lender sends us your Mortgage funds on completion date. On the date of completion, we will forward these monies together with any additional monies required from you to complete. Once the purchase funds are received by the Seller’s Solicitor they will authorise the release of the keys to you. Once this happens, you can collect the keys to your new home! We can make the first-time buying process easy for you. Contact our office by phone at 028 9024 4999 or email us at info@donnellykinder.com.