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Wills | Lasting Power of Attorney | Court of Protection

Wills 

FT Law provides a bespoke personal will writing service. The service is available in both English and Welsh.

 

Why Should I Make A Will?

A will makes it much easier for your family or friends to sort everything out when you die – without a will the process can be more time consuming and stressful.

If you don’t write a will, everything you own will be shared out in a standard way defined by the law, known as the Intestacy Rules. This isn’t always what you might want.

A will can help reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax that may be payable on the value of the property and money you leave behind.

Writing a will is especially important if you have children or other family who depend on you financially, or if you want to leave something to people outside your immediate family.

It is true people put off making Wills as, a) people cannot be bothered and, b) they assume their property will go to their next of kin.

 

When you use FT Law you will get a bespoke personal service when making a Will. No two families or their circumstances are the same. Our aim is to put your wishes down on paper in a valid legal document.

 

We will take detailed instructions from you face to face in order to get the background to the family and to assess what you want to do and your concerns. We will use our experience to assess what issues may come up in the future, flag them up to you, and assess how you would like your Will to deal with them.

 

We have vast will writing experience covering various family/business scenarios, to include:

 

  • Single persons

  • Married Couples – with and without children

  • Cohabitees

  • Same sex Couples

  • Families with children who have disabilities

  • Second marriages where there are children from the first and second marriages

  • Wills for self –employed, directors of companies where the succession of the business needs to be considered.

 

How To Get In Touch

To make an appointment, please call us on 01792 978560 and we’ll be happy to help.

 

If you would prefer to get in touch online, you can email us at ffion@ftlaw.co.uk and we will be in touch shortly.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows individuals to choose someone to make decisions on their behalf about such matters as property, financial affairs and health, at a time when they lack the mental capacity to make those decisions for themselves.

 

There is always a risk that an accident, health issue or a twist of fate can drastically affect mental and physical wellbeing. With a Lasting Power of Attorney in place you can ensure your interests are protected by a trusted friend or family member. Many of us lose our independence as we get older so it is imperative to put precautions in place before it’s too late. This document gives an individual you trust the legal right to act on your behalf when making decisions about financial matters and healthcare.

 

The Lasting Power of Attorney has two elements which can be made separately or together:

  • The Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to choose an individual you trust to make decisions about how to deal with your finances and your property. Once registered, and unless you have put a restriction on it, this type of LPA can be used by your attorneys straight away. 

  • The Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint an individual to look after your personal welfare and healthcare. 

 

If you have any questions regarding this area of law or have a relative that you think it may be applicable to, then feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to advise you on the implications of a Lasting Power of Attorney and complete the paperwork on your behalf.

 

Please contact us today for further information regarding any aspect of a Lasting Power of Attorney by calling 01792 978560 or by emailing: ffion@ftlaw.co.uk

Court of Protection

FT Law will help with applications to the Court of Protection for appointment of a Deputy who will make decisions for someone who lacks capacity.

A Deputy is a person appointed by the Court of Protection to make decisions and administer the property and financial affairs of a person (“the Patient”) who no longer has the mental capacity to do so themselves, and who has not previously made an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney which has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. The Deputy could be a family member, friend or a professional, such as a solicitor.

 

A Deputy can also be appointed to make health and personal welfare decisions on behalf of the patient, e.g. making decisions about medical treatment and how someone is looked after. You can apply to be a Deputy for one type or both. If you are appointed you will receive a court order directing what you can and cannot do.

 

We can explain this process to you, advise you on your relative’s or friend’s particular circumstances and complete the application on your behalf. We can also act as Deputies for an individual if there is no close relative or friend able and willing to so.

 

The Procedure

The process is not quick. There are a number of forms to complete and a set procedure to follow. We will explain the whole process to you. We can advise you on whether the Court’s permission is required and prepare the relevant application forms on your behalf.

 

We will need a full list of the patient’s assets such as property, shares and premium bonds.

 

There are also various formalities that have to be observed.  For example, when the application is made other family members and relatives have to be advised about the application.  In addition, during the process an insurance bond (“surety bond”) has to be taken out in order to protect the incapacitated person. A fee exemption may be available for Court of Protection applications if the incapacitated individual has limited income or is on benefits. To reduce financial difficulties it is important to consider the following:

 

Let utility companies and any creditors know of the situation

Claim state benefits and allowances as a DWP appointee for the person.

Maintain standing orders on the banks account

Provide as much information for the completion of the Court application documents as early as possible

Respond to letters sent, in particular, if you give notice of the proceedings to the person.

 

How To Get In Touch

To make an appointment, please call us on 01792 978560 and we’ll be happy to help.

 

If you would prefer to get in touch online, you can email us at ffion@ftlaw.co.uk and we will be in touch shortly.

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