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Men’s Mental Health Month is November, and it’s important to raise awareness of this often-silent issue that affects a great number of people. Beneath the exterior of fortitude and resiliency, men often confront a complex array of mental health difficulties. This month offers a chance to dispel myths, promote candid dialogue, and offer assistance with mental health.

There is a very strong stigma surrounding men’s mental health. Historically, men have been expected to express their emotions within a rigid framework set by society norms. The stigma associated with mental health issues frequently deters men from getting treatment. We explore the effects of these preconceptions and how crucial it is to destroy them in order to foster an accepting culture.

Men frequently have different mental health issues, such as the pressure from society to uphold traditional masculinity and the often-ignored difficulties with body image, self-esteem, and emotional expression.  An essential component of mental health advocacy is communication. We talk about the need of having candid conversations in both social and private spheres. Men’s experiences, anxieties, and victories can be shared, which helps build a feeling of community and lessen the stigma attached to mental health issues.

Strong support networks and wholesome connections are essential for mental wellness. In addition, the benefits of exercise, diet, and mindfulness techniques on men’s mental health should be considered the relationship between physical and mental well-being. Men might be empowered to take proactive measures towards leading balanced and healthy lives by emphasising and normalising holistic approaches.

In a study of 1000 men by Priory Private Healthcare, 40% of men polled said it would take thoughts of suicide or self-harm to compel them to seek professional help. 40% have never spoken to anyone about their mental health due to being too embarrassed or by the negative stigma on the issue as 77% have suffered with symptoms of negative mental health. At the most concerning end, nearly 70-80% of people who die by suicide are men and 1 in 3 men in the UK have experienced suicidal thoughts.

Aston Bond believes that Men’s Mental Health Month is an important chance to raise awareness of a topic that needs greater consideration and education. By breaking down preconceived notions, encouraging candid dialogue, and offering assistance, we can help create a culture in which men are confident enough to put their mental health first. Let’s end the stigma and open the door to a more accepting and caring approach to mental health. Together, let’s break the silence and pave the way for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to men’s mental health.

Kulbir Conner, our Head of Residential Property here at Aston Bond recently attended The Green Room College to give a talk about her journey!  The Green Room College is an Independent School in Windsor providing an alternative solution for young people for whom mainstream education is not an option.

Kulbir shared her inspiring journey as a highly regarded property lawyer, giving students a glimpse into her path and the world of work. It was a great session and has sparked some real curiosity about potential legal career paths for a couple of the students who attended.

Many positions at law firms sometimes appear extremely demanding and are described as “professional” and “suit and tie” in nature. Despite the serious atmosphere of law, the solicitors and staff at Aston Bond take pride in maintaining a more approachable and friendly manner. 

By participating in these events and educating more people about our experiences and the legal profession generally, we may help to advance this more positive perception of the legal profession. 

If you ever need any help with residential property or conveyancing matter, please contact Kulbir Conner at kconner@astonbond.co.uk or ring us on +44 (0)1753 486 777

In his inaugural King’s Speech, King Charles has set the government’s priorities for the coming year. In the speech, ministers laid out their plans to pass twenty-one bills during the upcoming year-long session of Parliament. Approximately one-third were either carried over from the previous session or had already been published. It is the first—and probably the last—such blueprint of Rishi Sunak’s administration before the upcoming general election in the United Kingdom, which is scheduled for next year.

Some of the key changes that were announced in Kings Charles speech were:

• A Sentencing Bill would make it more likely that short terms for lesser offences be served in the community, with a mandate whole-life penalties for the worst murder offences as well as preventing convicted rapists from being released early.

• The existing Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will deliver Martyn’s law, forcing UK venues to draw up and adhere to anti-terror plans.

• A Leasehold and Freehold Bill will ban leaseholds for new houses, but not new flats, in England and Wales, and increase the standard lease extension period to 990 years.

• An Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill will ban the export of cattle from Great Britain for fattening and slaughter.

• Pledges to strengthen consumer rights online and tackle fake reviews are contained in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.

• A Tobacco and Vapes Bill will deliver plans for a (much-discussed) phased ban on smoking, and introduce restrictions on the packaging and marketing of vapes.

• An Arbitration Bill will introduce new rules for individuals and businesses to resolve disputes without going to court.

Many more changes were announced with some, such as the replacement of section 21 evictions being kicked to the curb whilst the Courts undergo reforms, being a substantial way off yet.  However , these were some of the changes which were more eye catching and could have the potential to affect a greater proportion of the population. The King of England usually gives a speech annually regarding new changes (or updates on older ones). Stay tuned to Aston Bond to always be in the know as to how these Bills develop.

Legislation has been introduced amending the length of time in which individuals have to disclose their (custodial) convictions. 

Most convictions can be considered “spent” after a specified period of time.  In reality this means, once that time has passed, that an individual is allowed to never mention the conviction again – including on job applications.  Legislation also prevents employers from subjecting individuals to any detriment or prejudice where the convictions are spent.  There are exceptions for certain types of roles and these are listed in the legislation and should be looked at separately (for instance caring roles or those working with the vulnerable).

Now, .  Section 193 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (which came into force  on October 28, 2023) has reduced the time period in which one must declare convictions as follows :

If you commit another offence during the declaration period, the additional deadlines are extended. Any new conviction has its own disclosure period, and until the end of the original conviction’s active period—or, if that occurs later, the end of the new disclosure term applicable to the more recent conviction—both the new conviction and the prior conviction must be disclosed.

Note that the time frames mentioned above apply to offenders who were older than 18 at the time of conviction. This is modified for those under the age of 18.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that all pertinent systems and forms are updated to account for the new time frames. Roles requiring basic or enhanced DBS checks won’t be impacted by these changes.

It is important that you are transparent to your employer about any run-ins you have had with the law previously. If it is found that you are lying and have not declared any convictions which are not spent, you could suffer legal consequences that vary depending on the severity of the lie and the circumstance involved. Some of them are:

• Breach of Contract
• Fraud or Misrepresentation
• Violation of Company Policies
• Dismissal for breach of trust and confidence

Conversely, if you are asked about any convictions that are now spent, then you are legally allowed to answer “none”.  Even if an employer later finds out about it, they are not allowed to terminate your employment or prejudice you in any way.

For any assistance with any criminal or  employment law matters, please do not hesitate to contact us Aston Bond. We would be more than happy to help. You can contact us at info@astonbond.co.uk, use our chat facility or call on  +44 (0)1753 486 777. 

The necessity of promoting diversity and inclusion has become increasingly apparent in the legal sector in recent years, especially regarding female representation among partners. Even though the legal industry has come a long way in recognising the need of diversity, law firms still need to do more to advance women to partner positions. There is increasing demand on law firms to improve gender balance and foster an environment that supports female leadership as inclusiveness gains prominence and cultural expectations change.

The legal profession has historically been dominated by men, and women have faced numerous obstacles in their quest to overcome the “glass ceiling” and achieve partnership positions. Implicit biases, inflexible work environments, and conventional networking channels are just a few of the obstacles that have traditionally prevented women from advancing in legal companies. But as the importance of varied viewpoints in decision-making processes becomes more widely acknowledged, the legal community is stepping up to address these issues and working to reshape the conventional narrative.

The need to establish a more diverse and equitable work environment in law firms has become apparent because of changing legal market dynamics and societal expectations. Clients are prioritising more and more working with firms that represent a variety of opinions because they understand the advantages of having a wider range of perspectives when handling complicated legal issues. In response, there is growing demand on law firms to show their dedication to diversity and inclusion by creating an environment that actively supports women’s advancement into partnership roles.

The advancement of women to partner roles in the legal sector is a tribute to the progressive transition that is currently taking place. It is not just strategically necessary but required by our regulator (encompassed in SRA Principle 6 to encourage diversity, equality, and inclusion.   Law firms which pave the way for a more inclusive, inventive, and resilient future by creating an atmosphere that values diversity and supports women’s’ professional development,  will strengthen their role as trailblazers in the industry..

These changes are something that all businesses should strive for, not just within law. A few changes that business can do is promote equal opportunities to all employees, flexible work arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours and job-sharing opportunities which can enable women to balance professional and personal commitments effectively. Other things such as companies offering diversity training and employee resource groups can serve as valuable places for addressing common challenges, sharing experiences, and driving initiatives that support the professional development and well-being of women in the workplace.

At Aston Bond, we pride ourselves in our diverse team and strong leaders of both men and women. We are always working towards the goal of promoting diversity and equal rights and responsibilities in our team. Find out more about our team at: https://www.astonbond.co.uk/about-us/#meet-team

Divorce Do’s and Don’ts

Divorce is often a traumatic and stressful time for families. Here is a list of our top five divorce do’s and don’ts.

Do’s

1. Make absolutely sure you wish to Divorce. Consider attending a marriage guidance counsellor or a mediator to discuss your marital problems.
2. If you decide to proceed with divorce it is very important that you obtain expert legal advice from a specialist family solicitor.
3. Prepare a schedule of your income, outgoings, assets and debts. Try and encourage your spouse to do likewise so that you are aware of the matrimonial assets and your financial situation.
4. Do at all times put your children first. It is of paramount importance that you both continue to co-parent your children at all times. Keep the family lifestyle at home as normal as possible.
5. Keep a diary of major events that occur during the proceedings, if any.

Don’ts

1. Do not argue over what is to go into the Divorce Petition. Your solicitor will advise you on this aspect. The ground for divorce is “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage. This is proven by one of five facts; adultery, unreasonable behaviour, desertion, two years separation by consent or five years separation. The usual facts used are unreasonable behaviour, adultery or two years separation. With two years separation the other spouse must consent to the divorce otherwise you cannot use this ground.
2. Do not criticise your spouse in front of the children or try to make the children take sides. Avoid using the children as messengers between yourself and your spouse.
3. Do not prevent your spouse from visiting the children if you are living separately. Try and agree a schedule in respect of your spouse’s visits, holidays contact etc.  If necessary obtain your solicitor’s assistance with this.
4. Do not introduce a new partner to your children during the early stages of divorce.
5. Do not under any circumstances, argue over the proceedings in front of the children or cause harm to your spouse.

– Lynette A’Court

For any legal assistance or advice with divorce, separation or child access issues, contact our family law specialists here or call 01753 486 777.

Child arrangements during Christmas can be tricky, it’s a magical time for children but when parents are in the midst of a separation or divorce, and this can often be a particularly emotional or lonely time of year for all concerned. In order to ease the transition for children at this difficult time, parents are encouraged to find ways to ensure children are able to spend quality time at Christmas with both parents and their families, either separately or, in certain cases where both parents agree, with both parents together.

Despite the breakdown in their relationship both parents too owe it to themselves to work together to experience the joy of seeing their children’s faces light up when they open the presents they have received from Santa at Christmas. Unless there are issues of domestic violence or other compelling reasons, children should not be deprived of seeing each parent at this joyous time of the year and enjoying the excitement of the festive season with their parents. Arranging child arrangements during Christmas is important to think of leading up to the holidays.

Situations such as where a father is only permitted by the mother to deliver the children’s sack of presents and he is deprived of seeing his children or indeed ensuring that they will ever receive the presents, should be avoided where possible. Similarly, where the resident parent books a holiday abroad throughout the Christmas holiday period (and informs the other parent that they will not see their children until their children’s arrangements visit in the New Year) tensions can arise which can quickly escalate at this time of year. Conversely, gestures such as parents purchasing or encouraging children to purchase a present for the other parent (or simply make a Christmas card for the other parent) can ultimately lead to a more harmonious and peaceful Christmas experience for all concerned.

When parents separate they should agree a children’s arrangements schedule to include all of the holiday periods throughout the year, to include, Easter holidays, summer holidays, Christmas holidays, New Years Eve, New Year’s Day and half term holidays as well as children’s arrangements generally.

We set out below some examples of child arrangements during Christmas:-

• Year 1: The children stay Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with their mother and stay Boxing Day and the following Day with their father. Year 2: The children stay Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with their father and stay Boxing Day and the following day with their mother. Thereafter this arrangement to continue to alternate each year.
• The children spend Christmas Day with both parents at the family home and the children spend Boxing Day with their mother during Year 1 and Boxing Day with their father during Year 2. This arrangement to continue on alternative Boxing Days.
• Year 1: The children stay with their mother on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and they stay with their father on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Year 2: The children stay with their father on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and stay with their mother on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This arrangement to continue on alternative years.

In the event that children’s arrangements cannot be agreed by the parents (or through mediation or collaborative law) then parents should consult a solicitor and make an application to court; whose main goal will be the welfare of the children.

Our experienced team at Aston Bond are always available to assist you in respect of children issues.

What happens if I do not make a Will?

It is so important to have a Will in place to ensure that your estate passes to the people that you want it to go to.

Some people wrongly assume that if they do not have a Will their estate will pass to the Crown, however this is not always the case. There are rules dictated by law, known as the Intestacy Rules, and these rules set out who should inherit your estate if you do not have a Will.

If you are married/in a Civil Partnership and have children:

If your estate is worth less than £250,000 then your spouse will inherit everything.

If your estate is worth more than £250,000 then your spouse will inherit all of your personal belongings, the first £250,000 of the estate and half of the remaining estate.  The other half of the remainder will pass to the children equally.

If there are no children then your spouse would inherit the entire estate.

If there is no spouse then the order for those in line to inherit is as follows:

1. Children (if any have predeceased, then their children will take their share i.e. the deceased’s grandchildren)
2. Parents
3. Siblings (if any have predeceased, then their children will take their share)
4. Half-siblings
5. Grandparents
6. Aunts and Uncles (if any have predeceased, then their children will take their share)
7. The Crown

It is worth noting that if your estate is worth more than £250,000 and you are married with children, that your spouse will not inherit everything, which most people probably would not intend to happen and this is not always the best outcome from an Inheritance Tax planning point of view.

You will see that the Crown will only inherit if you have no surviving blood relatives.

People that cannot inherit under the Intestacy Rules include carers, friends, partners (unmarried/not in civil partnership) and relations via marriage such as a brother-in-law.

It is therefore imperative that you have a Will in place stating exactly what you want to happen to your assets on your death, as the Intestacy Rules can sometimes have unintended consequences.

Should you wish to discuss your own personal situation with us then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

How can I mitigate my potential Inheritance Tax bill on my death?

This is a question that many people ask and inheritance tax planning is very important. Knowing your options could make a massive difference to any potential Inheritance Tax bill on your death.

The most common way to mitigate Inheritance Tax is to gift your assets to your beneficiaries whilst you are still alive, thus reducing your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. However, if you gift a large sum of money or high-value asset, then you must survive seven years from the date of the gift in order for the value of the gift to no longer form part of your estate for Inheritance Tax. It is important to remember that whatever gift you give away, that it is a genuine gift and that you do not retain any kind of benefit from the assets given away, otherwise no matter how long you survive after the gift it may still form part of your estate for Inheritance Tax. An example of this would be a parent transferring their property into the names of their children, but continue to live there free of charge. This is a gift with reservation of benefit and the value of the property would still form part of the estate of the parent even after seven years. One way around this in this scenario would be for the parent to pay the market rent to the children to live there and then the gift is genuine, as they are not living there for free as though it is still their asset.

There are other gifts that can be given that do not require the donor to survive seven years. You may use your annual gift allowance, which is a total of £3,000 per financial year. You may also go back and use the previous year’s allowance if you did not use it, for example, if you did not give any gifts in the last financial year (2015/2016) then in this current financial year you could gift up to £6,000 as an individual, or £12,000 as a couple. You may, however, only go back one year to use any unused gift allowance.

If you receive an income which exceeds your outgoings to maintain your standard of living, then you may also give regular gifts out of income. In this case, you must have the intention of giving away income regularly and retain enough income to meet your own needs without reducing your standard of living or having to resort to spending capital in order to maintain your standard of living. It is important that you keep good records of income and outgoings and gifts given, as your Executors will have to provide evidence of this on your death. This does not really reduce the value of your estate, but it helps at least to minimise the increase.

It is also possible to gift £250 to any one person in a tax year (as long as you haven’t used another exemption on the same person) and in addition to that, you can give gifts in consideration of marriage, for example, a parent can gift £5,000, a grandparent can gift £2,500 and gifts of up to £1,000 can be given from others.

These options are legitimate ways to reduce your estate or at least minimise the increase.

It is important to remember that when you give a gift, it then belongs to the person receiving it and if they later divorce or become bankrupt for example, then those assets that you gave them would form part of their estate during those proceedings. You cannot control the assets once given away.

Have any questions? Leave a comment below…