Finding a reliable solicitor in Ireland isn't an easy job.

It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, blindfolded, wearing boxing gloves.

Don't get me wrong, there's a rake of solicitors out there who have your best interests at heart and treat you like an actual person instead of billable hours, but it's not easy and can be pretty overwhelming.

So we've done the heavy lifting for you and made a list!

But then Sarah gets sick.

She’s out of work for a week because of cramps. The company she works for are decent and pay her for up to 10 sick days a year. Sarah’s not worried.

But then the cramps don’t go away and she finds out she’s got cancer and she’s about to face a long medical battle, and god knows how long out of work.

Those 10 paid sick days are all the company cover.

So, what happens next? And what if something like that were to happen to you?

For millennia, philosophers have mused the difference between Life Insurance and Mortgage Protection.

Well, they haven’t, but I’m giving you the answer. 

When researching income protection, customers often ask us this question:

Will the insurance company help me to get back to work?

Here's the answer:

Buying mortgage protection insurance should be quite straightforward.

But after taking advice from the bank, your friends, your family, your colleagues and some random you met down the vegetable aisle, your head is melted.

Don't worry, I'm here to set you straight.

Here's what you need to know before you sign on the dotted line for mortgage protection insurance:

You're almost there.

The bank has eventually given you mortgage approval.

You've found your dream home.

The vendor has accepted your offer.

Now all you need to do is meet with your bank and buy their mortgage protection, right?

Cohabiting couple.

It’s surely the unsexiest way of referring to living with your other half. Second possibly only to ‘living in sin’ – but even that has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it?

And sure, you might be perfectly happy in your unwedded bliss – but you do need to consider certain ramifications when it comes to tax.

Did you know we have one of the highest death taxes in the world here in Ireland.

It's more commonly known as inheritance tax.

It takes one third of what you intended to leave behind for your kids and gives it to The Taxman instead...unless you put a plan in place to pay that inheritance tax.

Look, having a health condition sucks.

It just does.

But it shouldn’t affect your chance of getting a mortgage.

In some very extreme cases, the insurers will think the chances of you having to make a claim are too high and they’ll say no, but that’s rare.

Or they may postpone offering you cover, which isn’t the best news– but it’s not the end of the world as it’s a “not now” more than a firm “no way”.

The insurers underwrite applications on a case-by-case basis, but for now I’ll say this: the majority of people should have no problem getting Mortgage Protection.

However, getting Mortgage Protection with a health issue can take time so it can be a matter of urgency.

Do you remember the first time you drove in the dark?

Were you scared?

I was terrified, lost, and couldn't use the headlights.

And I had a baby on the way...