We have substantial experience in wills and trust services, we draft and amend wills and lasting powers of attorney.
Please read on for further information on the Wills and Trust Services we offer.
Making a will
It is important for everybody to make a will - even if you are not wealthy. If you make a will, you can be certain of what will happen to your estate and it will be easier for your family to manage your affairs when you die. Writing a will allows you to provide for your loved ones, to make specific bequests to individuals or organisations and to have greater control over what happens to your property and belongings, as well as minimising any inheritance tax that has to be paid.
It’s worth considering what might happen if you don’t make a will:
• the people you would like to benefit from your estate might not be provided for in accordance with your wishes;
• if you're not married or in a civil partnership your partner will not automatically inherit from you;
• there will be no arrangements to look after your children;
• you risk paying - or paying more - inheritance tax;
• your family might find it difficult to sort out your affairs.
We can help you make your will. With a professionally drafted will prepared by experienced solicitors, you can feel confident that you will have made proper provision for your family and loved ones, and that your possessions and property will be distributed in accordance with your wishes.
We can go through the details with you - at your home or work if it is easier for you - and recommend the best ways to limit the amount of inheritance tax your beneficiaries will pay, or help to avoid paying it altogether.
Changing your will
Even if you have already made a will, your circumstances might change – for example, you might have to change your will if you divorce, or remarry, or have a child. Often you can use a codicil to make a small amendment. However, if you are making significant changes, we recommend that you draw up another will. Please contact us
if you are not sure what you need to do. We will be happy to discuss your proposed changes and rewrite your will in the most appropriate manner for your new circumstances.
Lasting powers of attorney
No one likes to think about losing the ability to manage their own affairs, like handling a bank or building society account, claiming benefits, looking after their tax affairs or selling a house. However, a surprising number of people develop mental incapacity and can no longer make decisions for themselves due to dementia, mental health difficulties, brain injuries or other illnesses that can occur even in the prime of life.
For your peace of mind it is important to make a lasting power of attorney, to nominate someone you trust to make important decisions for you and deal with your affairs on your behalf if you became incapacitated.
The law relating to powers of attorney has changed in recent years. Separate powers are now available for Finance & Property and Health & Wellbeing. We can manage the process for you and ensure that you comply with the current formal requirements. Our service includes a first meeting with you at our office here in Alcester to take your instructions. We will then prepare a draft lasting power of attorney for you and send this to you for you to consider. We will then arrange a second meeting with the power of attorney (having been amended if necessary) and associated documents for explanation, signing and witnessing.
Each lasting power of attorney must also be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it may be used. We can help you by preparing and submitting the registration documents. We will provide legal advice and guidance concerning the registration process. We prepare and submit the registration documents to the OPG and correspond with OPG during the registration process, which can sometimes be lengthy.
We will give you an all-inclusive fixed price quote, with no hidden extras. Contact us
now for a free discussion, without obligation.