Making a Will, arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney or setting up a Trust can feel complicated, but it doesn't have to be.
I take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options in plain English and help you put the right arrangements in place.
Whether we meet face-to-face locally or work together online, you'll deal directly with me from start to finish.
Will writing, Trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney
Wills
A Will lets you decide who inherits your estate, who will administer it and how you want your loved ones to be provided for.
Without a valid Will, your estate is distributed according to the law of intestacy. That may not reflect your wishes, particularly if you have an unmarried partner, children from a previous relationship or people you specifically want to benefit.
I can help you:
Decide who should inherit your property, money and possessions.
Appoint executors you trust to carry out your wishes.
Make appropriate arrangements for children and vulnerable beneficiaries.
Consider whether a Trust within your Will would be beneficial.
Review an existing Will when your circumstances change.
My aim is to make sure your wishes are clearly expressed and that your Will is properly prepared and executed.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. It can also allow someone to help manage your financial affairs while you still have capacity, if you choose.
There are two types of LPA in England and Wales:
Property and Financial Affairs – allows your attorneys to manage matters such as bank accounts, bills, investments and property.
Health and Welfare – allows your attorneys to make decisions about your care, medical treatment and living arrangements when you lack capacity to make those decisions yourself.
Without an LPA, your family may face a lengthy and expensive court application to obtain the authority they need to help you.
I'll guide you through choosing suitable attorneys, deciding what powers they should have, preparing the documents and arranging their registration with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Putting LPAs in place now means that, should you need help in the future, the people you trust will be better placed to act on your behalf.
Trusts
Keep control over what happens.
Trusts can help you protect assets, provide for loved ones and exercise greater control over how and when your estate is passed on.
They can be particularly useful where family circumstances are more complicated, or where you want to provide for someone without giving them an outright inheritance.
Depending on your circumstances, a Trust may help you:
Protect your family home – for example, allowing a surviving partner to continue living in a property while preserving your share for your chosen beneficiaries.
Provide for children – making arrangements for an inheritance to be managed until they reach an appropriate age.
Support vulnerable beneficiaries – allowing trustees to manage funds for someone who may need additional support.
Manage more complicated family arrangements – including second marriages, blended families and beneficiaries with different needs.
Control how an inheritance is used – appointing trustees to make decisions in accordance with the terms of the Trust.
Trusts can be included within your Will or, in appropriate circumstances, established during your lifetime.
They also bring responsibilities, costs and potential tax implications, so they aren't always necessary or suitable.
I'll explain the available options in plain English, help you understand the advantages and limitations, and work with you to decide whether a Trust is appropriate for your circumstances.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you know exactly what you need or would simply like to talk through your options, I'm happy to help.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation conversation. We can meet locally or arrange everything remotely, wherever you are in the UK.
