New Wills Seminar To Help Families Plan Their Future25th Sep 2013
Law firm Coles Miller is holding a wills seminar next month to help families plan their future amid changing legislation.
Coles Miller Solicitors’ Wills & Probate seminar will be held on Wednesday October 16 at The Lighthouse, Poole. It will cover important legal changes to:
- wills and powers of attorney
- planning for care home funding
- the possibility of releasing capital from property.
The free event will start at 10am and run until noon. Speakers will include wills and probate solicitor Anthony Weber from Coles Miller - and James Lewis, an independent mortgage and protection adviser from Coleman Financial Services Ltd.
Mr Weber, an Associate at Coles Miller, said: “This seminar is about empowering people, making sure that people are aware of some of the options they have.
“Planning ahead now with regard to Inheritance Tax can save thousands of pounds.
“It can also mean not being forced to move into a care home without first having explored other options, such as paying for care at home.
“People will be able to make informed choices about downsizing, staying put or setting up a power of attorney to enable a close relative to manage their finances if they become unable to take decisions themselves.
“If you do nothing about your will, nothing about planning and funding care home fees, it could be an expensive or unfortunate decision,” said Mr Weber.
There had been significant changes in wills and probate legislation over the last three to five years, he added.
“People need to be aware of these changes if they haven’t spoken with us for a few years.”
Two thirds of people in Britain have still not made a will. They risk the government taking all their money if they die with no beneficiaries.
Many other people had made wills many years ago but had since failed to review them to ensure they were still relevant to their current circumstances.
Wills should also be reviewed to make sure that they are strong enough to resist legal challenges.
Coles Miller recently reported seeing an increase in the number of contested probate enquiries.
People are now more likely to challenge wills as families dynamics become more complicated, austerity era cuts continue to bite and the issue of disputing a will gets more coverage in the media.
Dorset-based Coles Miller has five offices in Poole, Bournemouth, Charminster, Broadstone and Wimborne.
Its specialist Wills, Tax and Trusts team carries out work including will writing, disputed wills, estate administration and Inheritance Tax planning.
The solicitors can also assist with advanced medical decisions (living wills), creating and administering trusts and setting up and registering charities.
For further information about wills, probate and trusts, please contact Coles Miller Solicitors Associate Anthony Weber, 01202 694891.
To book a place at the Coles Miller Wills & Probate Seminar, use our online email form or phone 01202 673011.
This document is not intended to constitute and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice on any specific matter. No liability for the accuracy of the content of this document, or the consequences of relying on it, is assumed by the author. If you seek further information, please contact Managing Partner Neil Andrews at Coles Miller Solicitors LLP.
