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Wills and Probate
Your Will
Litigaid Law offers a complete will writing service to its clients. A will is an important legal document which governs the distribution of your estate (which is everything that you own) on your death. If you die without making a will, then you are intestate and the law will determine who inherits your estate.
Many people believe that everything they own will automatically go to their spouse, but unfortunately this is not always the case. A properly drafted will sets out your wishes clearly and unambiguously.
It can also deal with other matters, such as appointing guardians for any children under the age of 18. For clients with more valuable estates, having the correct will in place could save them many thousands of pounds of inheritance tax. We are always happy to discuss making a will with you, without obligation.
Power of Attorney
At the same time, we recommend our clients to consider making Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) . Under a Financial Lasting Power of Attorney, you can nominate the individual or people whom you would like to look after your financial affairs if you become incapable of doing so, whether through mental or physical infirmity. Under a Welfare LPA, you are able to appoint an attorney to look after your welfare interests should you become mentally incapable of doing so yourself. This is a new and important development, in effect enabling you to make a 'living will'.
If you do not have a Financial Lasting Power of Attorney, then your family may need to apply to court for the right to look after your financial affairs, which can be expensive and time-consuming, and without a Wellfare Lasting Power of Attorney if you do need care in a hospital or home your wishes may not be properly taken into account.
We would be very happy to discuss this further at the same time as discussing the sort of will which is appropriate to you.
The need to make a will
It is important to write a will if you would like to choose what happens to your money after your death. If you do not write a will, you will have no control over what happens to your money. It would then be distributed according to the law.
For the answers to some frequently asked questions please look here.