AS WE GET OLDER, PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE CLOSE TO USE BECOMES INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT

None of us knows what’s around the corner and getting our affairs in order is an important step in having the peace of mind that comes from knowing we’ve provided for loved ones when we die or have ensured someone we trust can make legal decisions on our behalf if we can’t.

Having a professionally-written Will that’s regularly reviewed means your loved ones are properly protected and your wishes can be executed quickly after you’re gone.

And to protect your own interests should you fall seriously ill or become incapacitated, a Lasting Power of Attorney will enable a trusted representative can act for you knowing precisely the decisions you would have made had you been able to. 


HOW OUR WILLS SOLICITORS CAN HELP YOU

Carlsons Solicitors are experienced London-based Wills solicitors who’ve having helped many individuals, families and businesses ensure their estates and assets are passed on in a tax efficient way. We can help with:

  • Gifts to members of your family.

  • Issues in Wills such as guardianship, adoption and divorce - including child arrangements.

  • Obtaining grants of probate and Letters of administration.

  • Preparation of Wills, trusts and deeds.

  • Reviewing and amending Wills.

  • Winding up and distributing estates.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF NOT HAVING A WILL?

An astonishing 70% of adults in the UK do not have a Will. But in not having a Will you risk your children being disinherited, your surviving spouse not inheriting everything and your partner having no automatic entitlement to your assets and being forced out of the family home (which could then be sold).


THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN WILL

There are very good reasons to have a Will written by a Wills solicitor. They include:

  • setting out clear instructions of your precise wishes

  • appointing a guardian for your child or children

  • appointing an Executor to manage your affairs

  • saving on inheritance tax

  • protecting assets and potentially avoiding them being used for nursing home fees

WHY USE CARLSONS SPECIALIST WILL WRITING SOLICITORS?

We know exactly what is needed to protect you, your assets and your loved ones. Our specialist Will writing solicitors in North London have years of experience preparing Wills to cover all circumstances and personal requirements.

Our Will service includes:

  • Will writing/drafting

  • Will amendments

  • Single Wills (For you only)

  • Mirror Wills (For you and your partner or spouse)

  • Living Wills (Directive relating to future medical treatment)

  • Inheritance Act planning

  • Court of Protection (in the event of a family member having already lost capacity).

It’s a good idea to review your Will every five years to make sure it still meets your needs. Changes in your circumstances, finances or wishes can impact on your Will but if it needs to be changed, we will help ensure your Will is always up to date and continues to be relevant, accurate and legally binding.

We will keep your Will safe, secure and enforceable at all times, giving you and your family confidence and peace of mind.

HOW OUR EXPERT LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY SOLICITORS CAN HELP GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives you the reassurance of knowing someone will be able to make legal decisions on your behalf according to your precise wishes.

No one knows what life has in store and our Lasting Power of Attorney solicitors in Whetstone can help you make all the necessary plans for the future to help safeguard you, your assets and loved ones, should old age, illness or injury leave you unable to manage your own affairs.

We can help you with:

  • Making a Lasting Power of Attorney

  • Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney

  • Applications to the Court of Protection

  • Power of Attorney Disputes

There are two different types of LPA we can help you with:

  • An LPA for Property and Financial Affairs which covers decisions about your money and property. This includes the management of bank or building society accounts, the buying or selling of property, managing or changing investments, welfare and benefit payments, tax affairs, debts and legal proceedings.

  • An LPA for Health and Welfare which covers decisions about your health and personal welfare. This includes decisions about medical treatment, where you are cared for and the type of care you receive as well as day to day things such as diet, bathing, dressing and daily routine.

 

WHAT DO YOU MEAN LOSS OF MENTAL CAPACITY?

If you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself, it is called not having “capacity”. 

To lack capacity means you cannot:

  • Understand information relating to making a decision

  • Retain information for long enough to make a decision

  • Take necessary information into account when making a decision

  • Communicate your decision

WHO CAN ACT AS MY ATTORNEY?

You can appoint one or more people (over the age of 18) that you trust, either together or separately, to make important decisions for you. This may be a relative or close friend who will take control of decisions and support your best interests and it’s important that the people you choose to appoint as attorneys fully understand your wishes, respect your values and will be able make the decisions that you would want.

WHY MAKE A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY?

Without an LPA in place, your family and friends may not know of your precise wishes and may, therefore, find it very difficult to manage your affairs for you. Data Protection legislation also makes it difficult for anyone else to manage your assets and personal matters. In the absence of an LPA, an application would need to be made to the Court of Protection for a Deputy to be appointed which can be a complex, time consuming and costly process.

Apart from being able to set out your precise wishes and instructions and to choose the people who will make decisions for you, an LPA also allows you to:

  • Inform those who you want to know about your Lasting Power of Attorney and give them the opportunity to express any views or concerns

  • Avoid future conflicts by having your signature and the signatures of your attorneys witnessed.

  • Avoid expensive, complex and costly applications to the Court of Protection.

At Carlsons, we’re here to help guide you through your options and help you complete and register the official forms needed to make your LPA.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY DISPUTES

Disputes can still occur even when a LPA has been put in place. Disagreements between family members and attorneys can and do arise over issues such as whether the individual had the mental capacity to make an LPA in the first place or still has mental capacity and how the attorney is handling the individual’s affairs.

Disputes like this can be upsetting and distressing and in such cases it’s important to get prompt specialist legal advice. Our Lasting Power of Attorney solicitors are skilled mediators and have the specialist expertise to help resolve power of attorney disputes.