Cohabiting, where couples live together without getting married, is becoming more common. If you’re one of the 6.8 million people currently cohabiting, it’s worth considering what will happen when you’re gone. Here’s how you can protect your family when you cohabit....
While I’m the will writer here at Westcotes Wills, we’re part of a larger community of will writers. If someone dies but their family can’t find their will, the National Will Register will often contact will writers in their area to investigate. It looks as if Terry...
We often talk about how creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows your loved ones to make decisions for you when you no longer can. However, sometimes, we can’t create an LPA because it’s too late. We’re helping an elderly lady and her family who found...
If you’ve been appointed executor for a loved one’s will, you have a legal duty to ensure their wishes are followed. Trusts are increasingly common in wills, and you must deal with them properly to avoid problems further down the line. How can you tell if there’s a...
It’s increasingly common to find a Trust in a will, but most people don’t understand what they are or how to deal with them. Property trusts, in particular, are really common, and they must be dealt with properly, or it can cause a lot of problems. Here are some...
Guest blog by Joanne Warren from Sunrise Care Advisers - Care Navigators A few years ago, a British bank created “The M-word” campaign. It was apparently in response to research from Lloyds Bank that showed money is a bigger taboo in British families than politics,...
There’s a lot to organise when someone close to you dies. Once you’ve arranged the funeral, you’ll also need to sort out their affairs. If they made a will, the executors must ensure their wishes are followed. Probate can be part of this process but isn’t always...
If you’ve never heard of a Letter of Wishes before, you’re not alone, even if you’ve already made a will. We think they’re an essential part of the process as they can help to ensure that your wishes are carried out when you’re gone. Here are a few reasons why you...
A Lasting Power of Attorney (or LPA) lets your loved ones manage your affairs if you can’t do it yourself. Your LPAs can cover your finances, health and welfare or both. You can simply create an LPA if you want to, but we recommend writing a letter of wishes too. Read...
It’s almost Christmas when you can hopefully get some well-deserved downtime, catch up with the family and eat your own body weight in Quality Street. When you’ve opened your presents and found a comfy spot next to the Christmas tree, your will might not be the first...
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