It is more than 20 years since I set up in practice on my own account. I am the sole fee-earner with a tremendous support staff and hold an enviable (non) claims record.


I have seen my profits grow year on year and have enjoyed a six-figure net profit in the last four years - so much so that I decided I would like to take early retirement.



I have recently completed the sales of a shop, the goodwill of which was valued at £60,000, a cafeteria, whose goodwill was valued at £110,000, and a fish and chip shop, where the goodwill was £120,000.



However, it seems that my business has no goodwill value at all. My only way out is to ask - no, beg - some other practice to take over my client portfolio and store of some 1,000 wills.



Is this my reward for 27 years of Law Society membership?



Name and address supplied