Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney

What is involved?

Your Will is perhaps the most important legal document you will make. With careful planning, it can help you to secure a future for those you leave behind. If you do not leave a Will, the law decides who will inherit your property. This may not be what you want, and it is unlikely to provide adequately for your family.

Wills are often straightforward and can be written easily, whether you are single or married. However, some Wills require special technical knowledge.

Our specialist team can advise you on guardianship, Statutory Wills, planning for inheritance tax, and forming trusts. We also have experience of planning suitable Wills for second marriages, unmarried couples who own property or run a business together.

If you wish to leave your estate to a charity or a professional, we offer an executor and trustee service too. We also offer a variety of detailed guides regarding Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney, including instructions for signing a Will, guardianship of children, disabled beneficiaries, and things to consider when appointing an LPA. Please get in touch if you would like a copy.

Why choose Freeths?

• We can draft your Will for a fixed fee, so you immediately know how much it is going to cost
• If you wish, we can register your Will with Certainty (an online register of wills in the UK) for free
• For your security and peace of mind, your Will is kept by us in safe storage, free of charge
• You can meet with us in your home, nursing home or in hospital if this is easier for you

Our team are experts in tax planning and managing personal wealth for the benefit of future generations. Often, we will advise you to incorporate trusts into your will, in order to protect the very young or otherwise vulnerable members of your family. Trusts can also help to preserve your property, possessions and business. The right Will can be a strategic building block in the overall management of your family wealth.

Your professionally drafted Will can provide reassurance and peace of mind for you and help reduce any risks and pitfalls that may arise in the future. We will write it in plain English to avoid any misunderstandings.

Call our experienced Private Client team to find out how we can help you.

Lasting Power of Attorney

There may come a time when, because you are unable to manage your property and financial affairs or personal welfare, you will need someone to do this for you. You can formally appoint a friend, relative or professional to hold a Lasting Power of Attorney that will allow them to act on your behalf. Our experienced Court of Protection lawyers can give you clear and helpful advice about creating your Lasting Power of Attorney.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the Donor) appoint someone you trust as an ‘attorney’ to make decisions on your behalf about things such as your property and affairs or personal welfare at a time in the future when you no longer wish to make those decisions or you may lack the mental capacity to make those decisions yourself.

Click here to find out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney.