Will you make plans this Christmas?

Share |

As the year draws to a close and another one beckons, now is the perfect time to start looking to the future and ensuring your financial affairs are in order. For help, advice and reassurance, look no further than the Wills and Probate team at Emmersons Solicitors.

No one likes to dwell too much on death, old age and incapacity, but it’s not something that can be ignored completely – and far better to make provisions while you’re still mentally and physically able than to discount what the future may hold and suffer the consequences later.

The Wills and Probate team at Emmersons Solicitors is perfectly placed to lend a helping hand when it comes to organising either your own affairs or those of loved ones who are not longer capable.

Jacqueline Emmerson heads up the team with Helen Taylor, who is also a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, a specialist organisation for lawyers who provide legal advice to older and vulnerable people, their families and carers.

As well as wills and probate, the department covers legal matters such as Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection, care home planning, challenging NHS decisions on funding, and conveyancing for people who are forced to move home as a result of their situation.

Aside from being able to offer clients her extensive knowledge and experience, Helen also provides a sympathetic service and is conscious that clients may feel out of the depth when dealing with such legal matters.

She explains: “We often deal with people who are starting to lose mental capacity, as well as their families, and we take a very sympathetic approach. Normally clients know what a will is and what it’s used for, but often they don’t understand exactly what they can do with it and how flexible it can be. Many people want some guidance, and to have things explained to them in a way they can understand.”

Jacqueline Emmerson adds: “People always assume that their will will be easy to draft. However, matters are often more complicated than they think.

“We keep detailed questionnaires and notes on file which we don’t throw out and on several occasions we’ve been able to prevent challenges to estates as a result.

“The value added to our service is that we don’t ever just do what clients ask if we’re able to suggest a better way.”

The team regularly undertakes training from some of the leading experts in the field and the firm deals with both individuals and commercial clients.