Benedict Rohan

Arranging a funeral

Suffering a bereavement is a difficult enough time without the stress of arranging a funeral. It can be an expensive business, though, so it pays to do your research and contact a few different funeral directors before making a decision. Don't worry - thi... Read >

Obtaining probate

Note: the information in this article applies to England and Wales only. This guide is an introduction to obtaining probate after someone's death in order to administer their estate. When someone dies, their finances, assets and belongings (i.e. thei... Read >

The financial cost of divorce

This article refers to divorce law as it applies in England and Wales. Apart from all the emotional turmoil, there are so many practical matters that must be sorted out when a married relationship comes to an end. If you and your partner find yoursel... Read >

Don’t get into debt this Christmas

This the season to be jolly … and to spend lots of money, it would seem. Christmas can be an enormous strain on the family budget. It's not just presents that you have to worry about - which itself can be a nightmare as you battle with pressure from ... Read >

When the bailiff comes knocking – what are your rights?

If your debts get to the stage where a bailiff comes knocking at your door to seize goods, it can be a very distressing experience. However, if you know your rights and the law beforehand, this can alleviate some of the stress and make the situation mu... Read >

Parents: helping your child onto the property ladder

It's increasingly difficult for young people to get on the first rung of the property ladder alone, as property prices are rising much more quickly than earnings. This is where parents can help. Just as mortgages shared by friends are becoming more and... Read >

Saving money with your energy supplier

The energy supply market was deregulated in 1999 and since then millions of people across the UK have benefited from cheaper bills by switching their gas or electricity supplier. There are lots of different deals available to suit different domestic ... Read >

Getting a mortgage with friends

Property prices for even the smallest apartments are beyond the reach of many first time buyers nowadays. As a result, more and more people are clubbing together with friends to share a mortgage and ownership of a property. It's a very good way to get ... Read >

Increase the value of your home – build or extend

Increase the value of your home - build or extend This article is part one in a two-part series on making home improvements. Once upon a time, investing in property was a sure-fire way to make money, but as the property market has slowed down over... Read >

Increase the value of your home – cosmetic changes

This article is the second in a two-part series on how to upgrade your home and increase its value. The property market is very unpredictable nowadays - sales are slower and buyers more demanding. It can therefore be difficult to make a profit on sel... Read >

Self-build – finance your dream home

Having your very own, custom-built dream home is a lot easier and cheaper than you might think. Although building your own property involves a great deal of planning and hard work, it's within the reach of most people, especially now that many mortgage... Read >

Islamic finances

If you're Muslim and are concerned about financial products that comply with Sharia Law, there are more and more options available to you today. The first Islamic bank in the UK, the Islamic Bank of Britain, opened its headquarters in Birmingham in 200... Read >

Reasons for starting up a company

People set themselves up in business for many different reasons. Sometimes they have an idea that will fill a niche in the market or is a vast improvement on current products or services available. We're not all creative geniuses, though - but this d... Read >

How to create a good business plan?

Once you've got a good idea of whether your business is viable and you've analysed the market, it's time to draw up a business plan. What is a business plan? It's a detailed analysis of your business, including its objectives and its finances. It prov... Read >

Is being self-employed the right thing for you?

As well as being viable from a business perspective, it's also crucial that setting up a company is appropriate for your personal needs. It's a huge commitment that will require a lot of hard work, so you need to be sure that you're up to it and that y... Read >