Northampton Solicitors

OLDER CLIENT SOLICITORS IN NORTHAMPTON

As each of us gets older, our wants and needs in life change accordingly. The areas of law which are relevant and important to us also change, as should the approach of the lawyers we deal with. A good example of this is that many older clients, for health or other reasons, would prefer, in our experience, to deal with solicitors who are prepared to carry out home visits.

Northampton solicitors understand the importance of all the matters described above, and tailor our services to provide specialist advice, given in an empathetic way, at a convenient place of the clients’ choice.

Among the most important issues facing us as we get older, an issue none of us wants to consider but which is a practical reality, is making provision for physical but also mental impediments. Like making a will, dealing with such legal issues in unwelcome but constitutes sensible thinking. Once legal planning is out of the way, we find that clients feel reassured that they have taken appropriate steps not only to safeguard their own future but also for dearly loved family members.

What is a lasting power of attorney ?

Put simply, a lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)  is a formal document in which you appoint one or more people that you trust to assist with your legal affairs, with powers to act in your stead which become permanent only if and when you become mentally incapicitated and which offer the reassurance that your attorney is ultimately responsible therafter to the court in the case of any inappropriate handling of your affairs.

There are 2 forms of LPA  :-

• Property and Affairs LPA – gives the attorney certain powers over finances, can apply to issues such as buying or selling a property or dealing with bank accounts.
• Personal welfare LPA – enables the attorney to assist and make legal and day-to-day decisions about both health and personal welfare.

If you choose to have an LPA, Northampton Solicitors can provide a quote for you, the costs will be dependent on which form of LPA is required and the level of detail you chose to include in the LPA.

Advice on family trusts

In essence, creating a trust is separating legal ownership of assets and beneficial ownership, the legal owners being known as trustees and being subject to legal responsibilities associated with such  role.

Transferring assets out of your name legally has many implications. Traditionally, such transfers have in many cases been considered for tax saving reasons, which may or may not be a consideration for you.  Another common reason for creating a family trust is to establish some plans for the future, such as providing for grandchildren but only when a certain age or certain other criteria apply.

Many trusts can have complex provisions either restricting or enabling trustees to act in certain ways. Failure to make specific provisions regarding teh extent and limits of trustees powers results in the trustees having wide powers as regards dealing with the assets of the trust, and this may not be acceptable to you. Consequently, it is vital to carefully consider all aspects and objectives before setting up a trust and Northampton trusts lawyers have considerable experience and can assist with all types of trusts, whether set up in a will or during lifetime.

There are a wide range of  types of trusts, including:

• Simple Trusts
• Life Interest Trusts
• Discretionary Trusts
• Charity Trusts

Managing Trust matters and legal compliance issues

Once the trust has been correctly established, the trustees have an on-going duty to administer the trust in the best interests of the beneficiaries.

Our trust law solicitors assist in the trust administration and ensure compliance with all duties and regulations imposed on trusts and trustees.

We can assist with:

• Record keeping, including trustees’ meetings and resolutions
• Structuring  the trust
• Advising on trustees’ duties and responsibilities