Specialist Wills, Trust and Probate solicitor Lisa Whitehouse, has moved to the Halesowen practice of Midlands law firm Challinors, to enhance the specialist service on offer in the town.
Lisa moves to Challinors White & Billingham – created when Challinors acquired White & Billingham, Halesowen’s largest single site law practice, in August 2009 – from Challinors’ Birmingham office.
Her move sees Halesowen become not only her professional base but also her new home, as Lisa has recently bought a house in the area.
A member of the Wills, Trust and Probate team of Challinors, headed by Partner Fiona Debney, Lisa joins the practice to enhance the specialist services provided by Consultant Richard Price, who has been practising in Halesowen for forty years, as well as bring her area of legal expertise to the local community. She explains:
“My specialism lies in working with clients on matters including Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection cases. In the short term I will draw on Richard’s extensive experience and local knowledge, as well as deliver additional legal support to the Halesowen community and its surrounding areas.”
Richard Price adds: “Lisa represents a very strong addition to the firm’s Halesowen practice, strengthening the team with her specialist knowledge and expertise of wills, trusts and probate matters in particular. This legal excellence is combined with excellent client service skills and an understanding of the needs and activities of the local community.”
Lisa adds: “As finances become increasingly tight for the majority of households in the current economic climate, the importance of the creation of vital documentation such as a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney are overlooked. However, it is important to understand the implications of not having them in place and in the long run it could cost a family far more. For example to die without a Will so often leads to uncertainty and a trail of misery, potential conflict and avoidable tax bills. If you are unmarried and cohabiting without a Will, the other person has no automatic right in law to inherit what you own.
“Similarly, the recent case of former ballet dancer Elaine McDonald and her request for overnight care assistance triggered a mix of highly charged reactions amongst lawyers and charities for the old and infirm, but in particular underlined the importance of foresight and planning for old age or illness, which can be addressed through the creation of a Lasting Power of Attorney.
“By being based locally and at the heart of Halesowen’s community and town centre, Challinors White & Billingham is well placed to offer the type of legal advice and support that the area needs for all these highly personal but very important issues.”
