wills & tax
wills
A will enables you to ensure that your assets pass to your chosen beneficiaries in a tax efficient manner.
We frequently assist individuals, married couples, registered civil partners and cohabitees in formulating their wishes.
Our experienced solicitors are sympathetic and accessible and fully able to assist clients with what are sometimes sensitive issues. Your queries will be dealt with promptly and efficiently. The great value that we place on our relationships with our clients has enabled us to build strong links with many of them and their families over the years.
tax
We advise on personal taxation and can assist clients with tax planning with recourse to specialist counsel where required.
We have links with local firms of independent financial advisers to whom we can refer clients for financial advice including all forms of mortgage advice and tax planning.
powers of attorney & elderly clients
We are able to deal with the needs of elderly clients and are often called upon by clients to visit them at home to discuss their affairs.
This may include assisting clients with the preparation of a power of attorney. The main purpose of such a power is to enable clients to appoint someone they trust to look after their financial affairs in the event that they no longer have the capacity to deal with them personally. This will involve clients making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). There are two types of LPA. If clients wish, they can make an LPA dealing with their property and affairs and a separate LPA dealing with their personal welfare, which would include the possibility of the Attorney making medical decisions on a person's behalf.
Prior to 1 October 2007, many clients will have made Enduring Powers of Attorney. These remain valid.In certain circumstances, we also assist clients with a property move or a move to residential or nursing care.
Court of Protection / Office of the Public Guardian
Where an individual loses the capacity to manage their affairs and has not made an appropriate power of attorney, we are able to assist with making the necessary application to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a suitable representative to manage that person’s financial affairs. The representative is often a member of the family but a professional may be appropriate in some circumstances.
The solicitors at our Richmond office are members of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) (www.step.org.uk) which is the recognised professional body for experienced solicitors in the field of wills, trusts and estates. We have membership of the Law Society’s Probate Section and Solicitors for the Elderly.
For further information or assistance, please contact:
Mark Prest TEP* (Partner)
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Gregory White TEP* (Partner)
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Ian Smith (Consultant)
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Beverley Thompson-Haughton TEP* (Solicitor)
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