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Poole Alcock Solicitors

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Poole Alcock Solicitors

Expert legal support for your life and business. 🤝
We provide the full range of services for private and commercial clients nationwide.

Dedicated to clarity and delivering resolution. Book your FREE initial consultation: 0800 389 7093 Poole Alcock LLP has been providing a wide range of legal services in Cheshire for both business and private clients throughout the UK for over 125 years. All of our highly qualified legal experts based across Cheshire and the North West specialise in specific areas of the law, ensuring that you rece

ive the best advice available and, whatever your legal requirements, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and efficient service at a competitive price. With offices throughout Cheshire and the North West; in Alsager, Birmingham, Chester, Congleton, Crewe, Manchester, Nantwich and Sandbach and Wilmslow we can offer a personal service to you or your business. We have solicitors specialising in commercial law, conveyancing and property, personal injury, family law and divorce, disputes and litigation, wills and probate, employment, criminal law and agricultural law so whatever the legal advice you need, you can be assured that our solicitors’ experience and expertise will guide you every step of the way.

25/08/2026

There is real reassurance in being told, clearly, exactly where you stand.

We were delighted to receive this feedback from a client of our Employment Law team, who told us we made something very complicated feel simple and straightforward.

Employment matters are often detailed and stressful, and the outcome really matters to the person going through it. Our team's role is to cut through the complexity and give advice you can act on with confidence, with a special mention here to Lola and Jenny.

If you are dealing with a difficult situation at work and need clear, practical advice, we are here to help.

https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/employment/

19/08/2026

"Who is my next of kin?" It is a phrase we all recognise - but it may not mean what you think.

In England and Wales, there is no legal definition of ""next of kin."" It usually refers to your closest relative or the person to contact in an emergency, but being named as someone's next of kin does not, by itself, give any legal authority to make decisions on their behalf.

A few things that surprise people:

- A spouse or civil partner is usually treated as next of kin, but cannot automatically make financial or medical decisions if you lose capacity
- An unmarried partner has no automatic legal standing, however long you have been together
- Being listed as next of kin at a hospital does not allow you to make medical decisions for someone

So how do you make sure the right people can act for you and inherit as you intend? The two documents that carry real legal weight are a professionally prepared Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Our Wills and Probate team can help you put both in place, with clear and jargon-free advice.

https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/insights/news/what-and-who-is-a-next-of-kin/

12/08/2026

How long does a divorce actually take? It is one of the first questions people ask, and the honest answer surprises many.

Since no-fault divorce was introduced, the process follows a set timetable. Even the most straightforward, fully agreed divorce cannot be completed in less than around 26 weeks. That is built into the law, not a reflection of how busy the courts are.

Here is roughly how it works:

- The application is issued
- A minimum 20 week reflection period must pass before you can apply for the conditional order
- After the conditional order, a further 6 weeks and 1 day must pass before the final order

Most divorces take longer than the minimum, particularly where finances or arrangements for children still need to be resolved. Sorting out the finances properly is often what determines the real timescale, not the divorce itself.

If you want a clear idea of what to expect in your situation, our Family Law team can talk you through it calmly and without pressure.

Our Family team can talk you though your options clearly and calmly with a free initial discussion: https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/divorce-family-solicitors/

04/08/2026

Planning a holiday abroad with your child this summer? If you are separated, you may need permission first.

In England and Wales, taking your child out of the country without the consent of everyone who holds parental responsibility can, in some circumstances, be treated as child abduction, even for a short trip.

If you have a Child Arrangements Order saying your child lives with you, you can usually take them abroad for up to 28 days without extra permission, providing this does not interfere with the other parent’s court ordered arrangements. In every other situation, you will normally need the written consent of the other parent, or permission from the court.

A few things that make summer travel smoother:

- Ask for written consent in good time, not the week before you fly
- Take a copy of any consent letter, birth certificate and court order with you
- If contact arrangements change over the holidays, try to agree them early

If you are struggling to reach an agreement about holidays or contact, we can help you find a calm, practical way forward.

FREE initial Family Law consultation: https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/divorce-family-solicitors/

22/07/2026

A prenuptial agreement is not a sign that a marriage is expected to fail. It is a sign that both partners are being practical.

A prenup - or prenuptial agreement - sets out how assets will be divided if a marriage breaks down. It is particularly worth considering if one or both partners are bringing significant assets into the marriage, have children from a previous relationship, own a business, or expect to receive an inheritance.

While prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, courts do take them into account when considering financial settlements - provided both parties received independent legal advice and the agreement was entered into freely and fairly.

Getting the right advice before you marry is always easier than resolving financial disputes later.

Our Family team can talk you though your options clearly and calmly with a free initial discussion.
https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/divorce-family-solicitors/separation-divorce-solicitors/pre-nuptial-agreements/

14/07/2026

Feedback like this is a reminder of why clear, practical advice matters so much.

Thank you to Dominic for sharing his experience of working with our Employment Law team on his settlement agreement.

Navigating a settlement agreement can feel daunting - understanding what you are agreeing to, whether the terms are fair, and what happens next. Our team is there to make that process straightforward from start to finish.

If you have been offered a settlement agreement and need independent legal advice, we are here to help. In most cases, your employer will contribute towards or cover the cost of that advice.

https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/employment/settlement-agreements/

07/07/2026

Most people think a Lasting Power of Attorney is something to sort out "later." But later is often too late.

A Lasting Power of Attorney - or LPA - is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself. Without one in place, even your closest family members have no automatic legal authority to manage your finances or make decisions about your care.

If you were to have an accident or develop a condition like dementia, your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection - a process that is time-consuming, stressful, and expensive.

An LPA lets you stay in control of who makes decisions for you, and when.

There are two types:
- Property and Financial Affairs
- Health and Welfare

Both can be put in place now, while you have capacity to do so.

Find out more: https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/wills-probate/lasting-power-of-attorney/

01/07/2026

If you live with your partner but are not married, you may have fewer legal protections than you think.

Many couples assume that living together for a number of years gives them the same rights as a married couple. In England and Wales, there is no such thing as a ""common law spouse"" - and without the right legal protections in place, separating from a long-term partner can leave one person in a very difficult financial position.

Some important things cohabiting couples should consider:

- You have no automatic right to your partner's property or assets if you separate
- You may not be entitled to financial support after separation
- If your partner dies without a Will, you could be left with nothing, even after decades together

Getting the right advice early - whether that is a cohabitation agreement, a declaration of trust, or a Will - can protect both of you.

Our Family team can talk you though your options clearly and calmly with a free initial discussion.

https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/divorce-family-solicitors/

26/06/2026

📣 Family Solicitor Position – Hybrid Role-Cheshire📣

Not every family solicitor role feels the same — and we do not think it should.

We are looking for a fabulous Family Solicitor to join Poole Alcock, working as part of our Cheshire-based team with flexibility to work from home.

If you enjoy private family work and want to be part of a department with a strong reputation, this could be the right move.

Our Family team is known for being supportive, commercially sharp and tenacious when it matters — determined and compassionate in their approach, with a genuine commitment to achieving the best outcomes for their clients

The role offers:

✔️ Be part of a strong, well-regarded Family department

✔️ Departmental support

✔️ An above-market rate salary

✔️ A bonus structure that works

✔️ Flexibility to work from home

✔️ A supportive, down-to-earth team

Find out more about the role, our firm and our culture by visiting www.poolealcock.co.uk/careers.

If this sounds like you we would love to hear from you.

Send your CV today to [email protected]

23/06/2026

"Do I need a solicitor before I make an offer on a house?"

It is one of the most common conveyancing questions we hear - and getting it right early can save you time, stress, and money later.

While you are not legally required to instruct a solicitor before making an offer, having one lined up shows estate agents and sellers that you are serious. It can put you ahead of competing buyers and helps the process move quickly once your offer is accepted.

It also means you can get an instant idea of costs upfront - with no surprises and no hidden fees.

Our online conveyancing calculator gives you a quote in minutes. No phone calls, no waiting around.

Get an instant quote: https://www.poolealcock.co.uk/personal/residential-property/conveyancing-calculator/

Address

Minerva House
Northwich
CW97RA

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:15pm
Tuesday	9am - 5:15pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:15pm
Thursday	9am - 5:15pm
Friday	9am - 5:15pm

Telephone

+448004700351

Website

http://www.poolealcock.co.uk/

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