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When you lead a busy life it’s hard to find time to plan ahead:

• Retirement Planning – Will my pension maintain my currentlifestyle and afford me new opportunities?

• Education – Can I afford private education or university feesfor my children?

• Investment Advice – How do I protect my money and not leavemy family with a huge tax bill and only 60% of my estate?

• Protection – Do I have sufficient life cover, what if I lose myjob or suffer long term illness?

• I need a Will and advice on relevant Trusts.

Trusted experts can help turn your New Year’s resolutions into reality…

Need AdviceCall us today on0161 785 3500

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Every January it’s the same, lose weight and save money, but what exactly is a New Year’s resolution – quite simply it’s an advantageous lifestyle change, a personalgoal or project you aim to accomplish in the forthcoming year.

PRACTICE AREA: Private Client

PRACTICE AREA: Financial Services

Lawyers say it’s essential that legal rules governing thedistribution of an estate should “reflect the needs and expectations of modern families,” however the rules for co-habitants have not been changed.

“There is currently a popular myth that the “common-law”spouse is afforded legal rights - this simply isn't the case, eventhough it does reflect the way that many people are choosingto live their lives.” said Partner, Daniel Prince. “The entire estate of an unmarried couple with no children still passes tothe blood relatives of the deceased, the partner gets nothing,so the only way to ensure they inherit is to make sure youhave a Will,” he added.

The biggest change made by the Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014, is the passing of the whole estate to the surviving spouse /civil partner if there areno children. Previously a parent or other relative would haveinherited some if the estate was over £450,000.

There are also changes to what children can expect and in manycases the inheritance rights of children are significantly reduced.

Full details of the new laws can be found on ourwebsite www.pearsonlegal.co.uk

Daniel PrincePartner

A big shake up of what happens if you die without a Will came into force onOctober 1st. If you die without a will, ‘common law’ partners may be shockedto realise they still have no rights to inherit and the children of married couples are in line for less than they thought.

This year why not let Pearson’s Financial Advisers help you make that change, starting with your finances.

Make your resolution become reality - for a FREE New Year appointment call 0161 785 3500

Will you or won’t you

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www.pearsonlegal.co.ukFor all your private, financial and business needs

Need Commercial AdviceCall us today on0161 785 3500

what our clients say

what our clients say

In 2014 our commercial debt teamrecovered almost £1million forSME’s - making a vital differenceto their commercial health.

Small businesses across the North Westexperience the greatest number of latepayments in the UK.

“Employing a solicitor to recoup outstanding debts might seem like anothercost, but unpaid debt represents a significant threat to long-term businesshealth,” says solicitor Nicola Laurie. “In 12 months we have helped recoverdebts ranging from £300 up to £250,000.

“Some companies may only have a fewinvoices that need chasing and we aremore than happy to deal with these.For others, a bulk debt recovery optionis required. For companies that need a larger scale process for the ongoingchasing of multiple invoices, the processesmust be structured to cope with the increased volumes and correspondence.”

A solicitor will assess your case and advise on the best methods to progress,depending on the amount you are owed.Often this may just involve simply sending one ‘Letter Before Action’ to yourdebtor for a minimal cost. If payment is not forthcoming then a solicitor canadvise you on what your best optionsare from that point onwards.

Karen Piontek joined us in the summer and brings our propertyteam up to five. She specialises in all aspects of commercial and residential property and has a wealth of commercial propertyexperience.

If experience is the order of the day Andrew Murray has over30 years of it as a solicitor and now sits as a judge in the First Tier Social Security Entitlement Tribunal. He is currently working closely with our employment team and recently represented over 17 staff from Manchester College in their Settlement Agreements.

Our Private Client team has been boosted by the arrival ofSarah Finningan. Her training and qualification at a Londonfirm and years working in Manchester gives her a broad rangeof experience.

Finally after a first class honours qualification Kendyl Moorestarts a training contract with our medical negligence teambased at our Ashton office.

We welcomed fournew staff to ourbusy teams in 2014

PRACTICE AREA: Debt Recovery

Boosting business accountsby £1 million

Supporting music in Saddleworthencourages future talent and this season Pearson’s FinancialServices team are sponsoringthe Saddleworth Concert Society.

Welcoming the support Geoff Roberts,membership secretary of the Society,said: “We are delighted that Pearson’sare the main sponsors, they are alocal firm and their support will help us continue to bring world classartists to Saddleworth at a timewhen the business support for thearts has never been more important.”

Pearson Partner, Richard Eastwood,added: “We have strong links in Saddleworth and I feel it is importantto support causes not only close toour hearts, but also on our doorsteps.Planning ahead and securing a financial future is vital for organisations and individuals alike.”

SupportingSaddleworth Concerts

“Mr Prince was friendly and helped me make informed decisions, I would have no hesitation in

recommending Pearson Solicitors.”

difficult situation made easy”

“Caring service”“Extremely accommodating”

www.pearsonlegal.co.ukFor all your private, financial and business needs

Landlords -

Top Accolade for 12th Year

I (somehow!) managed to be awardedthe Business Woman of the Year at theOldham Business Awards for all the initiatives the firm has or is looking tointroduce in the forthcoming months, and financially 2014/15 looks to be ourbest year ever!

We have recruited some senior fee earners in 2014 all bringing with them a wealth of experience adding to the services we can offer across both individual clients and businesses.

2015 sees some exciting times as we expand our presence in Tameside, movingto brand new offices in St Petersfield inMay, expanding our Elderly Client offeringand becoming a Dementia Friendly Practice. We will also be introducingnew internal systems with the aim to be ‘paperless’ by the end of 2015…. unprecedented for a Law Firm but it shouldaid our efficiency of service to clients.

Finally I would like to wish all our clientsand friends of the firm a prosperous 2015…

In 2014 we celebrated yet anotheryear of success after being awardedthe prestigious Lexcel quality markfor the 12th year running.

After an exhaustive and detailed inspectionof files and office procedures, includinginterviews with solicitors and staff, theLaw Society’s practice management standard was awarded in recognition ofour high standards in customer care andmanagement.

Joanne Ormston, said: “This is recognitionof the dedication and professionalism ofour staff.

“Looking after our clients’ needs withcompassion and integrity is at the heartof what we do and to be recognised for 12 years is certainly an achievement.”

We acted under the Occupiers LiabilityAct in respect of an injury. Our clientwas a visitor to a house and this casehighlights the responsibility of a landlordnot only to their tenants, but also toanyone visiting to the property.

A decorative wooden plinth on the ceiling of the kitchen fell down andstruck the client’s hand. As a result ofthe injury the client was away fromwork for quite some time, had to havephysiotherapy treatment but failed tomake a full recovery.

Ian Wolstenhulme, Solicitor, acted forthe client: “This case was made doublydifficult because the landlord had goneinto administration and we were unableto recover monies from him, howeverwe successfully sued the Administrator.

“It highlights is just how important it isfor landlords to make sure propertiesare in good repair and not to rely onmanaging agents to do everything forthem, essentially the responsibility beginsand ends with the property owner.”

Looking forward to 2015, withPartner and Practice Manager,Joanne Ormston.

“2014 has been an incredibly busy and successful year for the firm and for our clients. The firm has secured the Lexcel accreditation for the 12th year running, receiving an exceptional report from an independent auditor.

Making a cup of coffee led to an injury and £7,000 compensationfor one of our clients recently.

PRACTICE AREA: Personal Injury

make sure properties are well maintained toavoid claims under the Occupiers Liability Act

For more information on this area oflaw get in contact 0161 785 3500Ian.wolstenhulme@pearsonlegal.co.uk

www.pearsonlegal.co.ukFor all your private, financial and business needs

Dementia is one the biggest health challenges in the UK with nearly 250,000people currently living with the conditionin the local area. It can be hugely alienating and is often misunderstood,but now Pearson’s hope they can helpprovide clients with an improved serviceby understanding their specific needs.

“We heard about the local campaign toimprove awareness and this is somethingwe really wanted to champion, especiallyas our solicitors have a lot of contact with elderly clients and their carers,”said Business Development Manager,Suzanne Wright.

“From the first contact on the phone orin our reception we will make sure we areDementia Friendly so it’s not only solicitorswho are getting the training, but receptionists, office staff, indeed anyonewho may need to give that little bit ofextra help and guidance,” added Suzanne.

The firm already go some way to being‘friendly’ with home visits, private andquiet meeting rooms for clients, well litsigns at eye-level, with glass doors andexit signs clearly marked.

Pearson’s have joined other organisationsin the Oldham Dementia Action Alliance,to create 500 Dementia Friends.

If you or a relative are in a home or need care at home becauseof mental or physical illness then you might be paying for somethingwhich could be funded by the NHS.

One client said she knew nothing of the Continuing Care moneyavailable until she spoke our Partner Mike Talbot, an expert inthese particular care cases.

“The NHS should pay for care when the primary need to be in acare home is for health reasons. Sometimes when the familychallenges the NHS they were able to regain the fees they havepaid out,” said Mr Talbot.

He is currently representing one family who are disputing whatthey believe is £100,000 in wrongly paid care home fees.

“Many people sell the family home if they are forced to placetheir loved ones in a home to get the care they need for conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or Dementia andmay not realise they are eligible for Continuing Care,” addedMr Talbot.

When an individual is eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare,the NHS meets the whole costs charged for funding a residentialor nursing placement, including any accommodation costs. This care can be provided either in a care home or your ownhome.

“In successful cases significant sumsof money can be reimbursed to therelative or their family even if theyhave since died and I would urgethem pick up the phone and get intouch with us,” added Mr Talbot.

Full details can be found on our website www.pearsonlegal.co.uk or call 0161 785 3500

Pearson Solicitors have recently challenged care homefunding, recovering over £30,000 for clients in compensation for fees they should not have paid.

Recovering the costs of care

Mike Talbot - Partner

PRACTICE AREA: Reclaiming Care Fees

PRACTICE AREA: Conveyancing

Make your move

in 2015The Chancellor’s Autumn statement announced a significant change to StampDuty Land Tax (SDLT), making massivesavings for 98 per cent of homebuyers.

“This is good news for notjust for First Time Buyersbut also expanding familieswho need larger propertiesbut would struggle with theadditional tax payable” said conveyancing solicitor, Victoria Marshall.

“Reducing the burden of stamp duty forbuyers is crucial to getting markets movingagain, we have seen growth this year as theeconomy improves, but further help isneeded to give momentum to the housingmarket,” she added.

Let Pearson’s get you moving - If you need fast, efficient and professional conveyancing services please contact Victoria.marshall@pearsonlegal.co.ukor call 0161 785 3500 without delay.

Pearson are a DementiaFriendly Practice

Oldham lawyers arejoining in the campaignto create a DementiaFriendly Oldham.

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OLDHAM

T: 0161 785 3500 E: enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk www.pearsonlegal.co.uk

Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales, registered numberOC351719, registered office 31 Queen Street, Oldham OL1 1RD. Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Authorised andregulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

ASHTON HOLLINWOOD

We have recently recovered compensation for clients whenHigh Street pharmacists handedover the wrong medicines.One client’s holiday was ruined when hemistakenly took the wrong medicationaway after collecting a prescription fromhis chemist. He called our medical negligence team for advice and we madea claim for £4,000 compensation againstthe pharmacy chain.

The tablets were selected in error duringthe dispensing process and this was subsequently not picked up by the pharmacist in the final checking process.

In a second case a client had an adversereaction to prescribed medication whenhis dose was tripled overnight by mistake.The GP, who had prescribed the correctmedication, confirmed pharmacist error.

The company admitted a labelling andselection error, launched an internal

investigation and agreed a £3,000 settlement.

Commenting on the cases, our medicalnegligence solicitor said: “Medication errors are common and most are due toslips in attention during routine prescribing, dispensing or drug administration.”

“We see more and more of these types ofcases, it is a worrying trend when you haveplaced your trust in a professional and ina well know brand.”

£1,000s recovered in compensation after errors by High Streetpharmacies.

If you would like a free consultation with Pearson Solicitors about a prescribingor dispensing error by a doctor or pharmacist, contact our Medical Negligenceteam on 0161 785 3500 or email enquiries@pearsonlegal.co.uk.

PRACTICE AREA: Medical Negligence

CharityBegins in Oldham

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It’s been a busy year on the charityfront and we’ve had a number offund-raising events raising £1,000sfor local and national charities.

Will Week has proved popular once again,our solicitors have given their time forfree and raised over £2,000 for StAnne’s Hospice, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice,Christie Cancer and the North West AirAmbulance Charity.

Partner, Mike Pitt took part in the 100kRide London and raised £1,300 for theMines Advisory Group and blastedthrough the organisers nine hour timeslot cycling to victory in just 6 hoursand 36 minutes “After a hot spring andsummer in training, on the day it was86 miles in torrential rain. It’s amazing

to raise money for land mines clearanceand it’s thanks to everyone who supportedand sponsored me along the way,” saidMichael.

Business Development Manager, SuzanneWright, completed a sponsored hike up Helvellyn for Saddleworth Mountain Rescue and the team at the Oldham office went Mad for Mahdlo dressing upin yellow, selling yellow cakes and collecting cash from clients to supportthe Oldham youth centre.

After all that activity everyone enjoyedthe Macmillan coffee morning in September and a chance of a cuppa anda chat in aid of the Cancer supportcharity, with charity donations on XmasJumper Day topping off an excellentfundraising year.