For separated families with children, it can be difficult for parents to reach agreement in respect of contact arrangements over the festive period. Christmas contact is an extremely sensitive and emotive subject as both parents would of course like to spend this special time with their child/children.

However, it is inevitable that parents will need to accept that this time will have to be shared, with the child/ren spending Christmas morning and perhaps even the entire day with one parent. There are however, several arrangements that can be made to ensure that your child spends quality time with both families. Consideration could be given to the child spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the one parent, with the other collecting them on Christmas Day evening or even Boxing Day morning and there being somewhat of a second Christmas Day celebrated during that time. This can then be alternated on an annual basis so that each parent has the opportunity of spending time with their child/children on Christmas Day itself.

If you have not already done so yet, you should contact your ex partner with a view of agreeing Christmas arrangements now – if you are unable to reach an agreement, then we can provide you with legal advice with a view to a letter being sent to your ex partner in an attempt to resolve matters as early as possible so that everyone can plan their festive season.

It should also be remembered that at present, the current COVID19 restrictions should not preclude children having meaningful contact with both parents, unless it is unsafe to do so. In line with the Welsh Government’s guidance, children are permitted to travel between homes in order to spend time with both parents. If you would like advice on this matter, please contact our Family and Matrimonial Solicitor Michelle Smith on (01267) 237441, who will be pleased to help you.

As we move further into the ‘Firebreak’ imposed by the Welsh Assembly Government, we want to reassure everybody that it is very much ‘business as usual’ at Ungoed-Thomas & King – as much as it possibly can be in these strange times.

We have for the last two months split our team into two shifts – one in the morning and another in the afternoon – the purpose being that if a member of staff tests positive for COVID19 in one team, the other team is still able to come into the office and deal with matters ongoing.

During this Firebreak period, we are trying to deal with clients and third parties via the telephone and e-mail wherever possible. However, where there is a need for clients to visit the office this is done on an appointment only basis and clients are asked not to attend the appointment if they are unwell. Government social distancing measures are followed and the appointment rooms are cleaned thoroughly after each appointment.

We thank everyone for their continued support over these last few months and as we move forward and hope that everyone continues to stay safe.

We are now closed for the Bank Holiday weekend and will reopen at 9am on Wednesday 20th May 2020.

We hope that everyone is staying safe!!

 Following on from the Prime Minister’s announcement last night, we intend to run a skeleton service within the office to ensure that we can deal with urgent Will requests, comply with Court Dates and Property Completions. We will ensure that any staff who do come into the office will practice safe Social Distance measures.

Other staff will be working from home to ensure that we keep matters progressing as best we can. As the safety of our staff and clients is paramount, we would ask that clients do not attend our office premises but instead e-mail us on mail@utk.co.uk or you can telephone us and we have diversions in place to ensure that calls are answered.

Our telephone number is 01267 237441 – press 1 for Property Department, 2 for Wills and Probate Department, 3 for Family Department and 4 for Admin/Accounts. You can also e-mail Fee Earners on their direct dial numbers which you will find under their signature on correspondence.

Thank you for your support and understanding at this difficult time.

We have just received notification that our reaccreditation application in respect of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) – the mark of excellence for the home buying process – has been successful for another 12 months.

The re-accreditation process is a way of assuring residential home buyers and sellers and banks and insurers, that we have the skill and expertise to provide quality residential conveyancing advice.

We are proud to still be the only Law Practice in Carmarthenshire to have achieved CQS, WIQS – which is a mark of excellence in dealing with Wills and Probate matters and Lexcel – the Law Society’s Practice Management standard.

For more information on the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, please visit www.lawsociety.org.uk/cqs or if you would like to speak to one of our experienced Solicitors about any aspect of the house buying or selling process, then please contact us on (01267) 237441.