Why do I need a will ?
1 - A will makes sure that your estate (what you leave) goes to the people or causes you want it to. Many people assume that it all goes to your partner, but this isn't necessarily the case. If you die intestate (no will) then the law decides who inherits and this usually means blood relatives only.
2 - Families can be complicated nowadays and a will ensures that your estate doesn't go to relatives of an extended family who you might not even know. Making things clear may also help prevent family disputes.
3 - If you have children from a past relationship living with you and you haven't stipulated what you want to happen with them, they may have to live somewhere else and the family be split up.
4 - If you marry, remarry or divorce, your previous will is no longer valid. And, if you are in a new partnership but die before your partner, this may have implications for your children's inheritance.
5 - A will may help save money on inheritance tax.
6 - If you state your funeral wishes in your will, this can help your family's decisions at a difficult time for them.
How much will it cost ?
We charge £200 for a standard basic will, plus vat (which equals £240 in total). This includes an initial consultation with John, and before that appointment we send you a questionnaire to help guide you towards the information you need to bring. For example, a list of assets (house, car etc) or debts (credit and store cards etc) plus who you want to leave things to (the beneficiaries) and who you would like to manage the process (the executors). It often helps to have a solicitor named as one of the executors to do the legal side and John can do this for you.
The fee also includes making separate drafts for as many changes as you want and sending these to you for your approval. Once you are completely happy with it we print and bind a final copy (the legal will) for you to come in and sign in front of witnesses that we provide.
If you are a couple and want 'mirror' wills - that's when you make practically the same will, leaving everything to each other - then you make a saving as it is £325 for the pair, plus £65 vat (a total of £390).
If your will is particularly complicated or requires a lot of research (for example if you want a Trust set up or you have properties abroad) charges will be more than the basic standard fee but John will advise you of this when you meet. An hourly rate of £210 + vat is likely to be applied.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
What are they and why do I need them ?
POAs (Powers of Attorney) or LPAs (Lasting Powers of Attorney) are legal documents, registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, that allow a competent person to take over the management of either health or financial matters for someone who, either from illness, accident or old age, is no longer capable of managing themselves. There are two separate documents, one called Property and Financial Matters and the other called Health and Welfare.
You may be in the situation where your elderly parents wish to make them or you may want to make them yourself to protect yourself in the future. It can be a considerable comfort to know that someone you trust will be in charge rather than a faceless official. Being an attorney is an extremely responsible position and carries with it a duty of care to act in the best interests of the person you represent. The Financial LPA can be very useful when someone is still capable but has mobility problems and can no longer get to the bank or may come into force when someone can no longer cope with any financial questions. The Health and Welfare LPA becomes valid when a person no longer has sufficient capacity to make decisions about the type of care or environment they need, their medication or day-to-day living requirements.
What happens if I don't have them ?
Unfortunately, things can get complicated. If elderly parents, for example, become incapacitated and there are no LPAs in place, a concerned relative would have to apply to the Court of Protection to become a Deputy in order to have similar authority. This can involve considerably more cost, delay and may not be straightforward. It has to be renewed each year and is subject to court supervision, altogether a much more difficult situation. Also, by definition, is would not be possible to discuss things with the people involved in the same way.
1 - A will makes sure that your estate (what you leave) goes to the people or causes you want it to. Many people assume that it all goes to your partner, but this isn't necessarily the case. If you die intestate (no will) then the law decides who inherits and this usually means blood relatives only.
2 - Families can be complicated nowadays and a will ensures that your estate doesn't go to relatives of an extended family who you might not even know. Making things clear may also help prevent family disputes.
3 - If you have children from a past relationship living with you and you haven't stipulated what you want to happen with them, they may have to live somewhere else and the family be split up.
4 - If you marry, remarry or divorce, your previous will is no longer valid. And, if you are in a new partnership but die before your partner, this may have implications for your children's inheritance.
5 - A will may help save money on inheritance tax.
6 - If you state your funeral wishes in your will, this can help your family's decisions at a difficult time for them.
How much will it cost ?
We charge £200 for a standard basic will, plus vat (which equals £240 in total). This includes an initial consultation with John, and before that appointment we send you a questionnaire to help guide you towards the information you need to bring. For example, a list of assets (house, car etc) or debts (credit and store cards etc) plus who you want to leave things to (the beneficiaries) and who you would like to manage the process (the executors). It often helps to have a solicitor named as one of the executors to do the legal side and John can do this for you.
The fee also includes making separate drafts for as many changes as you want and sending these to you for your approval. Once you are completely happy with it we print and bind a final copy (the legal will) for you to come in and sign in front of witnesses that we provide.
If you are a couple and want 'mirror' wills - that's when you make practically the same will, leaving everything to each other - then you make a saving as it is £325 for the pair, plus £65 vat (a total of £390).
If your will is particularly complicated or requires a lot of research (for example if you want a Trust set up or you have properties abroad) charges will be more than the basic standard fee but John will advise you of this when you meet. An hourly rate of £210 + vat is likely to be applied.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
What are they and why do I need them ?
POAs (Powers of Attorney) or LPAs (Lasting Powers of Attorney) are legal documents, registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, that allow a competent person to take over the management of either health or financial matters for someone who, either from illness, accident or old age, is no longer capable of managing themselves. There are two separate documents, one called Property and Financial Matters and the other called Health and Welfare.
You may be in the situation where your elderly parents wish to make them or you may want to make them yourself to protect yourself in the future. It can be a considerable comfort to know that someone you trust will be in charge rather than a faceless official. Being an attorney is an extremely responsible position and carries with it a duty of care to act in the best interests of the person you represent. The Financial LPA can be very useful when someone is still capable but has mobility problems and can no longer get to the bank or may come into force when someone can no longer cope with any financial questions. The Health and Welfare LPA becomes valid when a person no longer has sufficient capacity to make decisions about the type of care or environment they need, their medication or day-to-day living requirements.
What happens if I don't have them ?
Unfortunately, things can get complicated. If elderly parents, for example, become incapacitated and there are no LPAs in place, a concerned relative would have to apply to the Court of Protection to become a Deputy in order to have similar authority. This can involve considerably more cost, delay and may not be straightforward. It has to be renewed each year and is subject to court supervision, altogether a much more difficult situation. Also, by definition, is would not be possible to discuss things with the people involved in the same way.