This is not the easiest of subjects to broach. Which is probably why two thirds of people have not done it and, of those who have, what they have done may not be sufficient enough to do the job.
We are talking about Wills and Power of Attorney of course. It’s uncomfortable, some people may not realise they really do need to do one, especially if children are involved and so they ‘just don’t get round to it”.
Over the past two years, however, Darcy Law has seen a huge rise in enquiries from bereaved family members who are worrying about the affairs of their lost loved ones. If these uncertain times have taught us anything, it is that nothing can be taken for granted and planning for worst case scenarios lifts some of the burden of this uncertainty.
You may have seen programmes such as Heir Hunters on TV – and know that for people who die without a will whose relatives cannot be traced, the Estates will end up with the government.
But even where there are known relatives, if there is no will
· The government decides on what happens to your Estate.
· Your children could be taken into care, should the worse happen to you and your partner.
· Your possessions could end up in the wrong hands!
In addition, if wills are not written carefully enough and a surviving spouse or beneficiary remarries, children of the original relationship could ultimately be written out of subsequent wills if the original surviving spouse or partner dies first.
A Will is not the only consideration however, with 70,000 people every year having to sell their homes to pay for care.
By making a will, you protect your children and your loved ones. You decide who will become guardians for your children. You can save your family and loved ones thousands in legal fees and avoid a lengthy and costly probate. Perhaps you have a charity you care about that you want to support. Perhaps you have pets that you want to provide for.
The last thing you want to do is to create situations which may give rise to family disputes, which is almost certainly the case where no guidance is left in the form of a Will. You can even make it easier for your family by stating your funeral preferences, if you have any, which can also prove contentious.
Although you can buy DIY will sets on high streets and online, these will often not provide the expertise needed to cover all potential scenarios and your individual situation.
The second essential action for future proofing your affairs – Power of Attorney.
It is uncomfortable to consider that there may be a time where we might not be able to manage our own affairs – none of us likes to dwell on this. Once again, planning for an eventuality, no matter how unlikely, in fact relieves any burden of worry and makes life easier for any family.
If the worst were to happen, a Power of Attorney ensures that our financial affairs and personal welfare are in safe hands.
Power of Attorney is something for people of any age who find themselves unable to manage financial affairs or personal welfare, owing to some form of incapacity either temporarily or permanently.
Even if we are young, we could experience an illness or injury that means having a reliable person to manage our personal affairs and remove the anxiety of unpaid bills for example, could be a godsend when we most need peace of mind.
As we get older, the need for someone to step in and help manage our affairs increases as we are may be more prone to illness and injuries.
Darcy Law is here to help guide you through Wills and Powers of Attorney quickly and efficiently. We have an experienced team of friendly legal consultants. We explain everything in plain English and look to bring the peace of mind of knowing that your possessions will always be under your control.
For a FREE consultation, call Darcy Law on 07360 006807. or click here
