Wills & Probate

Making a Will

Preparing for the future to safeguard our loved ones is crucial but is perhaps a task we often delay because it involves facing some difficult prospects.

It is estimated that more than 7 out of 10 adults in the UK do not have a will. This means that when they die their estate is ‘intestate’, which can cause all number of complications and disputes for remaining family members. It can also mean that a great deal of the deceased estate is ‘eaten up’ by inheritance tax, with their money going to the government and not the intended loved ones. This can often be avoided by careful planning when making a will. It also ensures your money and property goes to who you actually intend it to.

If you are thinking about preparing a Will, or wish to discuss other options please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange a confidential consultation.

We can advise and assist you in the preparation of a Will or advise as to alternative methods to look after your assets.

Please contact us for a friendly chat and we can arrange an appointment for you to discuss your needs.

Probate

Whether someone has a will or not; when a loved one dies dealing with their affairs can be complicated, very time-consuming and also emotionally draining. Fursdon Knapper can offer you a swift, cost-effective service to ensure that everything is resolved and distributed as they intended.

You may be interested in talking to us about your own estate and making provision for what happens when you die, to avoid unnecessary grief for your family;

Equally if a loved one has recently died and you wish us to help you tie-up their affairs and seek a Grant of Probate, we would be very happy to talk to you. Simply call or e-mail us, and we will try to make the whole process as easy as possible for you.

Lasting Power of Attorney

Whilst many people make provision for what is to happen to their estate should they die, far fewer take steps to ensure that their affairs can be looked after, in the event that they lose mental capacity.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which lets one person appoint another person or people that they trust, to make decisions on their behalf.

Whilst we all hope that we will continue to be healthy, independent and be able to make our own decisions, the simple fact is that there may come a time when we are not either physically or mentally as able as we were.

An LPA allows you to decide now:

1. What decisions you want making should you lose capacity, and
2. by whom and how those decisions are to be made.
3. What should happen to your property, your money and your welfare

Whilst anyone with the mental capacity to do so, can make a Lasting Power of Attorney from the age of eighteen it is very important to remember that an LPA can only be used when it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian and where Health and Personal Welfare LPS’s are concerned, when you (as the donor) have lost the mental capacity to make your own decisions about your care and treatment.

We are very happy to meet with you to discuss your requirements; we can draft your LPA’s for you and ensure they are compliant for registration with the Office of the Public Guardian and we also provide a secure storage service for your original LPA documents on their return from registration..

Whilst we understand that the thought of placing your affairs in the hands of others, may be a difficult to comprehend, we provide a sensitive and friendly service, which can assist you in putting your affairs in order and ensure your best interests are represented.

If you would like to discuss making an LPA please do not hesitate to contact us.