Wills
A will is a formal written document which sets out what you want to happen to your estate (all your money, property and possessions) after your death. If you die without a valid will then you are said to have died "intestate" and then the law will dictate how your estate is distributed after your death.
Your will must appoint executors (people who deal with your estate after your death) and may also need to include appointment of guardians for any children under the age of 18.
Your will can include any funeral wishes you may have.
Some people may want to leave specific gifts of sums of money or items to specified people or relatives or organisations including charities
You may want your will to include provisions for what is to happen if a beneficiary in your will ( a beneficiary is a person or organisation who is to receive something under the terms of your will) has died or ceased to exist before you die.
Once prepared your will has to be formally executed in accordance with the relevant legislation to ensure that it is a valid legal document.
Talk to us to see how we can assist - many people delay preparing their wills as they feel it is too complicated and they don't know where to start but once you've made the initial call you'll be glad you did."
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf, if you’re no longer able to or if you no longer want to make your own decisions
Many people think that they only need to create Lasting Powers of Attorney when they are starting to suffer from a condition such as Alzheimer's or dementia but a note of caution - you can only create Lasting Powers of Attorney whilst you have mental capacity and anybody can suffer a loss or impairment of mental capacity at any time through accident or illness.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney forms - for financial and property decisions and for health and care decisions.
The forms have to be completed by the person making the Lasting Power of Attorney (the donor) and have to be signed by a certificate provider ( as a member of the IPW we can act as the certificate provider) and by the attorneys - there are specific requirements as to the signing of the forms and the witnessing of the signatures and these have to be complied with to create a valid Lasting Power of Attorney.
Once registered at the Office of the Public Guardian the Lasting Powers of Attorney can be used by the attorneys at the appropriate time.
Call us for a discussion about making your Lasting Powers of Attorney - look on them as similar to an insurance policy: ideally you'll never need them but if you do need them then you'll be glad they're there!"
