Wills & Powers of Attorney

No one likes thinking about it, but making a will is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. When the time comes, you will want your loved ones to inherit from you as you intended. If you die without making a will, or if your will is invalid for any reason, your assets will be distributed according to the Intestacy rules, rather than as you wished.

At Bower Bailey, our specialist Wills & Trusts solicitors have the expertise and experience to make sure your will truly reflects your wishes, protects your children, spouse or partner and is as tax efficient as possible. Firstly, we’ll take time to find out about your circumstances, your objectives and any concerns you may have. We can then advise the best way of structuring your will so that it does what you want and deals with your estate in the most tax efficient way. You will find we are meticulous, but we’re also practical, efficient and plain speaking – we won’t talk in legalese.

We make wills for people from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some of our clients are high net worth business owners with substantial property assets in the UK and abroad, whilst for many, the main asset is the family home. We act for “traditional” families and in some cases have done so for many generations, as well as for “modern” families with different needs and considerations. We can help you put together a plan that will cater for all. We can also advise on the choice of guardians for children, the appointment of executors and trustees and charitable legacies, as well as advising on and mitigating inheritance tax. Whatever your circumstances, we will make sure your will accurately reflects your wishes, protects all your loved ones – including, if you wish, your pets – and benefits your chosen charities.

Older and vulnerable people

We have a particularly sensitive approach when dealing with elderly or vulnerable clients. If a member of your family is old or infirm, one of our specialist lawyers will visit them wherever they are most comfortable, whether at their home, care home or in hospital, and at very short notice if they are suffering from serious ill-health. We also help clients and their families find pragmatic solutions where issues of mental capacity arise and we do so with care and dignity.

If you already have a will

If you already have a will we offer a review service to check it is valid and advise if it needs updating to take account of any changes in your circumstances or tax regime. We always look for ways to maximise the assets available to future generations by sensible estate planning. Our advice is always tailored to your particular circumstances and we help you understand the choices and options available.

Planning for the future

Sometimes people lose the ability to make their own decisions. This is often referred to as loss of mental capacity. It can be a gradual process linked to old age, but it can happen very suddenly as a result of a serious accident or health problem, such as suffering a stroke.  You can plan for this by appointing someone else to have the power to make decisions on your behalf, should you ever lose your mental capacity. This is called setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Lasting Power of Attorney

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): one relates to your property and financial affairs (including your business, if you have one); the other relates to health and welfare issues. LPAs allow your nominated attorneys to make decisions in either or both of these areas. If you run your own business it could be very damaging if you don’t have an LPA and lose capacity: access to bank accounts may be denied, suppliers, salaries or insurance premiums may not get paid, to highlight only a few of the potential risks and consequences. We advise on and prepare both types of LPA and register them with the Office of the Public Guardian. We can also act as your nominated attorney, rather than a family member or friend, should you wish.

Once the LPA comes into effect, we are always happy to help and advise whenever you need us. If the donor of the LPA a parent, for example, you’ll find we are sensitive, practical and efficient, helping to manage their affairs and protect any business interests. We advise you on the best strategy and aim to share with you and other family members the burden of having to make difficult decisions so you can focus on caring for your loved ones.

Whether you need help with your will or a Lasting Power of Attorney, you can be sure we will provide an expert, prompt and cost effective service. We’ll go the extra mile to make sure everything is dealt with correctly and in accordance with your wishes, giving you peace of mind, whatever the future may hold.