Family law advice at The Watermill: key takeaways from September’s Chamber Business Networking Breakfast
Our September Chamber Business Networking Breakfast at the charming Watermill venue brought together local businesses for a lively session of networking and knowledge-sharing. Attendees received practical family law advice from Michelle Truelove of Surrey Hills Solicitors and Demelza Patricio of TWM Solicitors LLP. Together, they pulled back the curtain on some of the most common – and costly – legal myths around wills, cohabitation, divorce and estate planning.
Common law marriage doesn’t exist
One of the biggest misconceptions addressed was the idea of common law marriage. Michelle and Demelza made it clear: no matter how many years you’ve lived together, the law does not recognise you as married. That means no automatic rights to property, pensions, or inheritance – a reality that has caught many couples off guard. Their advice? Take early legal advice, and put protections in place before life-changing decisions are made.
Wills and cohabitation – why everyone should have one
Another myth firmly debunked was that wills are only for the wealthy or the elderly. A will is vital if you want to decide what happens to your estate – and that includes guardianship for children, personal wishes about funerals, and ensuring partners are provided for. Without one, cohabiting partners may be left with nothing, and families could face disputes and costly claims.
We heard cautionary tales: lives of public figures who didn’t leave clear wills serving as warnings of what can go wrong. The message was simple – if you’re over 18, you should consider having a will, even if you think your affairs are simple.
Divorce and separation guidance
For married couples, separation can be equally confusing. Attendees learned that divorce alone does not end financial claims – you need a court order to formalise financial settlements. Judges have wide discretion in how assets are divided, and behaviour (including dishonesty or misconduct) is rarely decisive unless extreme. The sensible route is to seek advice early, aim for agreement where possible, and avoid letting disputes escalate into costly court battles.
More family law advice: children, prenups, and LPAs
Michelle and Demelza also highlighted other areas full of assumptions:
Children’s arrangements: Courts do not automatically favour mothers; the focus is always the child’s best interests. Parents are encouraged to resolve matters amicably, ideally without going to court.
Prenuptial agreements: They’re not “worthless”, but nor are they completely immune. Done properly, with full disclosure and independent legal advice, they carry real weight.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs): These are not just for older people. Having one ensures someone you trust can make decisions if you lose capacity – and contrary to popular belief, signing one does not mean giving up control immediately.
A practical reminder
Whether it’s wills, divorce, child arrangements or LPAs, the underlying theme was crystal clear: family law advice taken early can save heartache, stress and cost. Solicitors like Michelle Truelove and Demelza Patricio are not there to complicate things — their role is to help you plan ahead so that uncertainty, stress and unexpected costs are minimised.
The talk left attendees more informed, more aware of the importance of planning ahead in both personal and family matters — and better placed to make decisions with confidence.
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