Money is often seen as a ‘taboo’ subject, and it can be difficult to talk even to those closest to you about your financial position and your plans for the future. 

However, research shows that people who engage in discussions about finances tend to make better and less risky financial decisions, have stronger personal relationships, help their children develop good lifelong money habits, and feel less anxious and more in control. 

Solicitor for Estate Planning Blackheath 

Although every individual’s financial situation is different, and objectives and priorities vary, there are certain steps we can all take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our wealth. 

Preparing for this is crucial.  

Unforeseen events and accidents can occur at any time, and knowing that you have the appropriate plans in place for your money, property and other possessions both during your lifetime and after your death provides valuable peace of mind. 

A solicitor can help. Solicitors specialising in estate planning will talk through your family circumstances, your current financial needs and your long-term goals in order to establish the best ways to protect your estate.  

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we take the time to understand your situation and tailor our estate planning legal advice to your needs.   

Our friendly and professional solicitors will work closely with you to ensure that any estate planning solutions suit you and best protect your money and your loved ones.  

To speak to one of our estate planning specialists about protecting your assets, call us now on 020 8852 4433 or email enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk.  

Wills and Estate Planning Solicitors 

In this blog, our specialist Wills and Estate Planning Solicitors give their top tips for having open conversations about financial plans.  

1. Plan in advance. 

Conversations about finances can be stressful, but thinking in advance about your financial situation and what you would like to do with your assets can ensure that you are ready to share your intentions.  

Drawing up a ‘financial checklist’ of your assets and liabilities will mean you have a clearer picture of your estate and what it is worth.  

Your assets may include property, pensions, investments, savings, and certain personal possessions. You should also consider any debts or liabilities, such as mortgages or loans. 

It can also be helpful to gather the relevant paperwork so that you have the necessary documentation to hand.  

2. Be open and honest. 

Contentious probate cases are on the rise, and families falling out over the contents of a Will can cause added stress at an already difficult time. 

Being transparent about your wishes and explaining what you wish to happen to your assets ensures that everyone is aware of your intentions, reducing the likelihood of any disagreements at a later date. 

It is also advisable to speak to anyone whom you would like to play a part in handling your finances or administering your estate, such as someone you might wish to appoint as your attorney under an LPA or your potential executors. Speaking to such people in advance means you can express your preferences, and it also allows them to confirm that they are comfortable with the role you wish to assign to them.    

3. Link to a life change. 

A significant life event, such as a birth, marriage or house move, can often serve as a useful segue into a wider conversation about financial plans. 

In England and Wales, a Will is automatically revoked by marriage or a civil partnership. Similarly, a birth in the family can often prompt an update to an existing Will to include the new arrival. 

4. Get the right legal documentation in place. 

It can be easy to put off having a conversation about your financial plans, but delaying putting in place the right legal protections and communicating your intentions to loved ones can lead to issues further down the line. 

It is never too early to make a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney. Both are essential documents that act as valuable safeguards for your and your family’s future and should be made in good time.  

Estate Planning Solicitors Near Me 

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we help individuals and families plan and prepare for their future by offering legal advice and support in various areas related to estate and succession planning. 

With offices in Blackheath, we have provided Wills, trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning services to individuals and businesses throughout London and the South East for many years.  

Our helpful, experienced team will provide you with clear and sensible advice on all aspects of estate planning to ensure that the whole of your estate is passed to the people you wish to inherit it, providing a sensitive service that is tailored to your needs. 

Writing a will is an essential part of the estate planning process and will ensure your wishes are carried out after your death.  

Even if you are married or in a civil partnership, without a Will, your spouse will not necessarily inherit all of your estate under the intestacy rules. 

For more information about our Wills and estate planning legal service, please get in touch by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form.  

The post Tips for Talking About Estate Planning appeared first on Beverley Morris.

According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were 781,000 stepfamilies in the UK in 2021, 70% of which (547,000) contained dependent children. 

Estate planning for blended families can be more challenging and putting in place the right legal protection for all your children, whether biological children, adopted children or stepchildren, is vital. 

Why a Will is Essential for a Blended Family 

A Will is a legal document that everyone should have, but it is especially important where there is a blended family. 

When someone dies without a Will, their estate is divided according to the laws of intestacy. These are rules laid down by the government which set out who are the legal next of kin according to a very strict hierarchy. 

Whilst adopted children are treated as biological children under the laws of intestacy, stepchildren do not automatically inherit. 

The intestacy rules state that if you are married or in a civil partnership and die without a Will, your spouse/civil partner receives the first £322,000 (as of 2025) plus half the remainder, with the other half being shared between your children. This could result in your disinheriting your stepchildren which it was not your intention to do. 

Will Writing for Blended Families 

When making a Will for a blended family, it can help to consider the following points: 

1. Seek specialist legal advice. 

Blended families often include children from previous relationships whom you accept into your family, yet they are not recognised under the laws of intestacy, leading to a potential claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 from a person whom it was never your intention to exclude. 

Without specialist legal advice from an experienced Wills solicitor, it can also be very easy accidentally to disinherit your own children in favour of a new spouse or to cause an unequal or unfair distribution of your assets which can also potentially lead to a future dispute. 

A qualified Will writing solicitor can help you navigate the various dynamics, ensuring that your Will is correctly drafted, reflects your wishes and treats the various parties responsibly, considerately and fairly. 

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our friendly and professional Wills solicitors in Blackheath have extensive experience in drafting Wills for blended families. 

Our specialist Will writing team can help you set up the right legal structure to protect everyone’s interests, ensuring that your wishes are properly executed. 

To find out more and to speak with one of our specialist Wills and Probate Solicitors, please get in touch by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form. 

2. Keep it up to date. 

Family dynamics change over time, as do the needs of individual family members. Significant life events such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death, property purchase or change in a person’s financial situation can impact the provisions laid down in your Will. 

A Will should therefore be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure that it continues to reflect your own circumstances and accurately depicts what you wish to happen after your death. 

We recommend reviewing your Will every three to five years. Read more here. 

 3. Be clear and transparent about your intentions. 

A Will can be disputed on two main legal grounds: 

1. Because it is invalid. This could be because of a failure to comply with the formalities for signing a Will or because the testator did not have sufficient mental capacity to make a Will or because the testator was under duress to sign the Will or because the Will is a forgery. 
2. By someone making a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (the Inheritance Act). Claims under the Inheritance Act can be brought by people who were financially maintained by the testator if the Will did not make adequate financial provision for them, even if the Will was valid. 

Wills involving blended families are more likely to be contested due to the often complex dynamics and the higher potential for conflicting interests amongst family members.  

Being transparent with your family about the contents of your Will and openly communicating your wishes can help combat this, reducing the chances of future disputes. 

4. Consider a Life Interest Trust. 

A Trust is legal arrangement whereby a person gives assets to another person or entity to manage for the benefit of someone else. 

Many blended families include a life interest trust in their Will. This form of trust allows someone to have an interest in an asset for the duration of their lifetime, with the asset then transferring to someone else. 

Testators with blended families often leave the family home in a life interest trust for their spouse, allowing them to live in it for their lifetime, but with it ultimately passing to their children. 

Wills Solicitors Blackheath 

Estate planning for blended families can be complicated. Specialist legal advice from an experienced private client solicitor is vital to ensure your loved ones are protected.  

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our Blackheath-based team of solicitors has extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Inheritance issues and will provide you with clear and sensible advice to ensure that the whole of your estate passes to the people whom you wish to inherit it. 

We can also provide specialist legal advice on other areas of law that may be relevant when you are organising your estate such as Lasting Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate Management, Family Law and Conveyancing. 

To speak with one of our specialist Wills and Probate team, led by Lori Harley and Tina Chan, please get in touch by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form. 

For more information about our Wills and Succession Planning legal services, please click here. 

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On 16 May 2025, the Law Commission published its final Report: Modernising Wills Law, which includes a series of proposals designed to modernise the law of Wills to ensure it is fit for purpose in the modern age.

The report is the culmination of a long-standing review of the law surrounding Wills, which has largely remained unchanged since the Victorian era, and is governed by both legislation (primarily the Wills Act 1837) and case law, some of which has been developing for hundreds of years.

Significant changes in demographics, society, technology and medical understanding have taken place since then, which is why the Commission felt reform was necessary.

“Most people will live longer than their ancestors did, and, as a consequence, more people will suffer from ill health and a decline in their mental capacity that are commonly associated with old age,” the Commission said.

“The property that the average person owns may be more valuable than it was in the past. Not so long ago, documents would have been in paper form only; but documents in electronic form are now far more prevalent than paper documents.

“We therefore think that reform is necessary,” said the Commission in the introduction to the report.

In this blog, our experienced Wills solicitors summarise the key findings of the Law Commission’s final Report: Modernising Wills Law.

• Electronic Wills.

The validity requirements for a valid Will are set out in the Wills Act 1897, which unsurprisingly does not expressly cater for electronic Wills.

In its report, the Law Commission recommends that electronic wills should be capable of being valid, in the same way as paper wills, provided that they meet an additional formality requirement: that a reliable system is used to ensure the security of the Will.

In particular, a reliable system must be used that:

• At the time of the signing of the Will, links any signature with the person whose signature it is.
• Identifies the Will so that it can be distinguished from any copies.
• Protects the Will against alteration or destruction other than by the testator or a person authorised or directed by the testator to alter or destroy the Will.

• Marriage should not revoke a Will.

Once a person makes a will, they can choose to revoke it. However, under the current law a person’s will is automatically revoked if they get married or form a civil partnership.

This leads to unintentional intestacies, believes the Law Commission, and can also open the door to financial abuse through predatory marriage (where someone marries another person with the sole intention of inheriting from them).

The Law Commission therefore recommends in its report that the rule that marriage or civil partnership revokes a will should be abolished.

• Testamentary capacity.

The test for whether a person has the mental capacity necessary to make a Will is currently found in a case from 1870, Banks v Goodfellow.

However, there is another mental capacity test that also applies in some cases, and this is set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The Law Commission found that it is “unprincipled and confusing” to have two tests to govern mental capacity in the context of Wills and recommends that the test set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 should apply to all assessments of testamentary capacity.

• Children making Wills.

Currently, only those aged 18 and over can make a valid Will.

The Commission concluded that the age at which a person can make a valid Will should align with the law on mental capacity and should therefore be lowered from 18 to 16.

• Courts given a dispensing power.

Currently, a Will that does not comply with the formality requirements in the Wills Act 1837 is not a valid Will, even if it is very clear what a person wanted to happen with their property after they died.

The Commission believes that where a person’s testamentary intentions are clear, there should be a mechanism making it possible to give effect to those intentions.

It recommends that it should be possible for a court to dispense with the formality requirements in relation to an invalid will – “a dispensing power”.

• Rectification powers for the courts.

Rectification describes the power of the court to correct a legal document, including a Will, so that it reflects what the testator intended it to say.

Currently, a court’s rectification powers for Wills are limited to ‘clerical’ errors rather than any mistakes made in drafting.

Under the proposals, a court will be able to rectify drafting errors as well where it is satisfied that a Will does not give effect to the testator’s intentions because the drafter failed to understand the meaning or effect of the language being used.

• Testamentary undue influence.

If someone believes that a Will, or a gift in a Will was made as a result of coercion, they currently have the burden of proving it.

However, undue influence can be difficult to prove.

To overcome this, the Law Commission has recommended that courts should be able to infer undue influence “where there is evidence which provides reasonable grounds to suspect it”.

• Gifts.

The Law Commission recommends that the rule invalidating a gift in a Will to a witness, or to their spouse or civil partner, should be extended so that gifts in a Will are also invalidated where they are made to:

• The cohabitant of a witness.
• A person who signed the Will on behalf of the testator.
• The spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a person who signed the will on behalf of the testator.

Read the Law Commission’s full report Modernising Wills Law by clicking here.

The Commission has also produced a draft Bill for a new Wills Act.

It is now for the Government to consider and respond to the Law Commission’s recommendations. It has already given its initial response and must provide a full response within a year.

Wills Solicitors Blackheath

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our Blackheath-based team of specialist Wills solicitors has extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Inheritance issues.

We regularly act for beneficiaries, individuals, executors and trustees and provide legal advice that is clear and easy to understand.

To speak with one of our specialist Wills and Probate team, led by Lori Harley and Tina Chan, please get in touch by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form.

For more information about our Wills and Succession Planning legal services, please click here.

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A Will is the only way of ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes in the event of your death.

If you die without a Will, your estate is divided according to the laws of intestacy. These are rules laid down by the Government that set out who is the legal next-of-kin when someone dies without a Will, according to a strict hierarchy.

If you’re an adult in the UK, you probably need a Will.

An up-to-date, well-drafted Will is essential if you have children, own a house or have a pension.

A Will is especially valuable for unmarried couples as without one, your partner will not automatically be entitled to anything from your estate.

The laws of intestacy do not provide for a partner who was unmarried and not in a civil partnership to inherit. The only way of ensuring that your partner is provided for is by making a Will.

Solicitors for Wills Blackheath

However, despite their importance, figures suggest that nearly half (49%) of UK adults don’t have a Will in place, and one in ten adults in the UK have started making their Will but haven’t finished it yet.

If your Will is still on your ‘to-do’ list, this is the week to do it!

Update Your Will Week 2025 runs from 3 March until 9 March. An initiative of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, the membership organisation hopes to encourage all those who have yet to make their Will, or haven’t reviewed it in a while, to take the opportunity to do so.

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we realise that writing your Will may seem daunting.

However, our experienced Will writing solicitors will guide you through the process, providing you with clear and sensible advice to ensure that your estate is passed to the people you wish to inherit it.

From our offices in Blackheath, we have provided Wills, trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning services to individuals and businesses throughout London and the South East for many years.

For more information about our Will writing legal services or to speak to one of our friendly solicitors specialising in Wills, please call 020 8852 4433, email privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or fill in this contact form.

To show our support for Update Your Will Week 2025, here, our Wills Solicitors look at why it is important to have an up-to-date Will.

1. Remains current.

Making a Will is a must. But reviewing it regularly and updating it as necessary is crucial to ensure it continues to reflect your circumstances and accurately depicts what you want to happen after your death.

Life is constantly evolving, and our wealth, family circumstances, and priorities usually shift over time.

It is sensible to review your Will every five years or after a significant life event, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death, property purchase or change in your financial situation, and update it to ensure it remains current.

2. Reduces the chances of contested Wills.

A Will can be contested on two main legal grounds.

• Because it is invalid. This might be because a Will was incorrectly signed or witnessed, the testator didn’t have sufficient mental capacity, was subject to undue influence or the Will is forged or fraudulent.
• By making a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 (the Inheritance Act). People who were financially maintained by an individual at the time of their death may have the right to challenge the Will if it did not make adequate provision for them even if the Will was valid.

Failing to update your Will to take account of any change in your circumstances could leave it more open to dispute. For example, if someone was financially dependent at the time of your death, but you didn’t update your Will to allow for this, they could try to contest it.

Find out more about contentious probate by reading our previous blog ‘Frequently Asked Questions About Wills Disputes’.

3. Reduces Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Managing tax considerations is vital for effective estate planning. Rules and legislation around tax planning can change, and it is crucial that you stay on top of any relevant legislative developments to ensure you maximise opportunities to reduce tax liabilities in your Will.

In the UK, IHT is payable when the value of an estate exceeds a certain threshold (currently 40% above the standard threshold which is £325,000), although certain exemptions exist, such as the residence nil-rate band, which increases your threshold if you pass on your home to direct descendants.

Keeping up to date on current tax laws and updating your Will accordingly allows you to strategically plan your estate and avoid unnecessary tax liability.

Wills Solicitors Near Me

Having an up-to-date Will provides valuable peace of mind, maximises tax efficiency and ensures your wishes are followed.

However, specialist legal advice from a solicitor with experience in Will writing is crucial.

A Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our Blackheath-based team of experienced solicitors has extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Inheritance issues.

We regularly act for beneficiaries, individuals, executors and trustees and provide legal advice that is clear and easy to understand.

To speak with one of our specialist Wills and Probate team, led by Lori Harley and Tina Chan, please get in touch by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form.

For more information about our Wills and Succession Planning legal services, please click here.

The post Why You Need an Up-to-Date Will appeared first on Beverley Morris.

Several factors are believed to have contributed to this surge. People living longer with more time for family dynamics and relationships to change yet Wills not being updated and there being more generational wealth could be two reasons for the increase in contentious probate cases.

Do-It-Yourself Wills, usually made by using a generic template online have also opened the door to more challenges. Homemade Wills are often invalid, containing conflicting instructions or lacking the protection of a solicitor-drafted Will.

Getting a specialist solicitor to help draft your Will is the best way to prevent someone contesting your Will. An experienced solicitor will ensure your Will is drafted correctly and dated signed and witnessed in accordance with the correct procedures.

At Beverley Morris & Co., we understand that making a Will can be daunting. However, our professional Wills solicitors in Blackheath will guide you through the process, providing clear and sensible advice to ensure your estate passes to the people you wish to inherit.

Our experienced Wills solicitors can also advise on disputes about Wills, Trusts and estates. They represent both clients seeking to bring a claim and those wishing to defend one.

For legal advice on Wills and contentious probate matters, speak to Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors. You can call us on 020 8852 4433 or email privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk.

Here, our specialist Wills disputes solicitors answer some frequently asked questions about contesting a Will.

What are the grounds for contesting a Will?

A Will can be contested on two main legal grounds.

1. Because it is invalid. 

A Will could be deemed invalid for various reasons. These include:

• There was a failure to comply with formalities, for example, if the Will was not signed in the presence of two witnesses or if both witnesses were not present at the time the Will was signed.
• If you believe the individual who died did not have sufficient mental capacity at the time the Will was drawn up. This could mean they did not fully understand how their estate would be divided and who would benefit after their death.
• The person who died did not have sufficient knowledge or provide sufficient approval. This could be because they were blind or illiterate.
• Any undue influence, for example, if the individual writing the Will (the testator) was pressurised throughout the process. A testator must make all decisions about the outcome of their estate on their own.
• If the entire Will or the signature of the testator is fraudulent or has been forged, the Will is invalid.

2. By making a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975(the Inheritance Act).

People who were financially maintained by an individual at the time of their death may have the right to challenge the Will if it did not make adequate provision for them even if the Will was valid.

Inheritance Act claims can only be brought by:

• The spouse or civil partner of the deceased.
• A former spouse or civil partner of the deceased provided they have not remarried or entered into another civil partnership.
• A child of the deceased.
• Any person who is treated as being a child of the deceased.
• Any person financially dependent on the deceased.

Who can contest a Will?

Anyone can contest a Will if they have a valid legal claim. Most claims are brought by people who have an interest in the deceased’s estate such as surviving family members or financial dependants.

How do you contest a Will?

Contesting a Will can be a stressful and complicated process. It is advisable to seek legal advice from a solicitor specialising in Wills disputes as early as possible to maximise your chances of success.

An experienced contentious probate solicitor will advise on the merits of your claim and the best way to proceed.

How long do you have to contest a Will in the UK?

Different types of Wills disputes have different time constraints and how long you have to bring a claim depends on the reason for the challenge.

It is easier to contest a Will before probate has been granted as this increases the chances of your claim being heard.

Inheritance Act claims must usually be made no later than six months after probate is granted.

Wills Solicitors Blackheath

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we can support you through the process of contesting a Will, carefully and competently.

Our professional team work on a variety of issues when you contest a Will, including:

• Challenging a Will.
• Inheritance Act claims.
• Trusts disputes.
• Executor disputes.
• Beneficiary disputes.
• Proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claims.

Our Blackheath-based team of experienced Wills solicitors have extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Inheritance disputes and regularly deal with a wide variety of issues. We act for beneficiaries, individuals, executors and trustees.

Please get in touch with our professional and compassionate team, led by Lori Harley and Tina Chan, today by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form.

For more information about our probate and estate administration services, please click here.

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Dementia is not a specific disease. Rather, it is the general term for a group of symptoms, caused by different diseases that damage the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, with 19 out of 20 people living with dementia having one of four main types.

Although dementia is not a natural part of ageing, the likelihood of developing dementia increases significantly as we get older. One in 14 people aged over 65 has dementia, which rises to one in six for people aged over 80.

Symptoms can vary and get worse over time. The most common symptoms of dementia include:

• Memory loss.
• Confusion and needing help with daily tasks.
• Problems with language and understanding.
• Changes in behaviour.

Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be devastating. Being diagnosed with dementia makes us question what will happen in the future and it is natural for people who receive a dementia diagnosis to want to do everything they can to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Making a Will is one of the best ways everyone can safeguard their interests by ensuring their wishes are followed after they die.

But does being diagnosed with dementia mean you are no longer able to make a Will?

Making a Will With Dementia

No. Receiving a dementia diagnosis does not mean you can’t make a Will. A person living with dementia can still write or update a Will, although additional steps may need to be taken to ensure its validity and reduce the chances of any subsequent disputes.

Anyone making a Will must have, and must be able to show, that they understand what they are doing and the effect it will have. This is known as having ‘testamentary capacity’.

To have testamentary capacity, a person making a valid Will must be able to demonstrate:

1. Understanding. They must be able to understand the nature of what they are doing, why they are doing it, and the consequences their actions will have.
2. Awareness of assets. They must recognise what assets they have, including property, savings and other personal effects.
3. Awareness of the beneficiaries. Someone making a Will must be able to decide who will benefit from their assets and understand the implications of their choices.
4. Decision making. They must demonstrate independent and rational decision-making skills that are not affected by others.

Testamentary capacity is assessed when you instruct a solicitor to make a Will and at all subsequent meetings, including when the Will is signed and witnessed.

Any concerns about whether an individual may lack testamentary capacity at any stage need to be addressed, as any doubts over a Will’s validity may be used as the basis of a claim to dispute it later on.

Golden Rule

The courts have set out a ‘golden rule’ that if someone making a Will is older, ill or has dementia or another condition that could affect their ability to make decisions, it is best practice for a doctor to be involved in the Will writing process.

This will ensure that there is the necessary medical evidence to support the  conclusion that the person making the Will has the testamentary capacity required to make the Will should anyone attempt to dispute it in the future.

A solicitor with experience in Will writing for elderly and vulnerable clients will be able to help. At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our specialist Wills solicitors in Blackheath have helped people living with dementia and their families with their estate planning needs for many years and continue to provide invaluable support and guidance at what they appreciate can be a very difficult time.

Our patient and approachable Will writing solicitors can advise you on what needs to be done to best protect you and your interests.

If you, or one of your loved ones, is living with dementia and needs legal advice, call Beverley Morris & Co. today on 020 8852 4433 or email enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk.

As dementia is a progressive disease with symptoms that get worse, it is crucial to make a Will as soon as possible following a diagnosis, as a person’s ability to do so may be further compromised over time.

If someone is deemed to lack testamentary capacity and needs to make a Will, or make a change to an existing Will, an application may need to be made to the Court of Protection for a ‘statutory Will’.

A solicitor will be able to advise on your situation and the best way to proceed.

Will Writing Solicitors Blackheath

If you, or one of your loved ones, has received a dementia diagnosis and needs some advice on making a Will, get in touch with Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors.

Writing a Will is an essential part of everyone’s estate planning and it is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death.

Our specialist Will Writing solicitors provide specialist legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers, and will ensure that all the necessary documentation is in place to protect you and your future.

With offices in Blackheath, Beverley Morris & Co. has provided Wills, trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning services to individuals and businesses throughout London and the South East for many years.

We realise that writing a Will may seem daunting but, once done, it will give you and your family invaluable peace of mind.

You can call us on 020 8852 4433 or email enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk.

Alternatively, click here to arrange a call back.

The post Can You Make a Will If You Have Dementia? appeared first on Beverley Morris.

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Everyone’s situation is different and the size, complexity and make up of an estate varies greatly between individuals.  

Nevertheless, there are certain steps we all can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our wealth.  

In this blog, our experienced Private Client solicitors consider the steps everyone can take towards effective wealth planning. 

 1. List your assets. 

A useful starting point is to list one’s assets and their individual worth. Common assets include: 

• Property. 
• Pensions. 
• Savings. 
• Insurance policies. 
• Personal possessions, for example, cars and jewellery. 

You should also include any debts and liabilities such as mortgages and loans so that you can form a clear picture of the value of your estate. 

Your ‘financial checklist’ should be supported by any relevant paperwork so that all the information is in one place and easily accessible.  

2. Speak to a solicitor. 

Once you have an accurate list of your assets and liabilities, ie. the composition of your estate, you should speak to an experienced private client solicitor.  

Not only is everyone’s situation different but we all have different priorities and objectives. A specialist estate planning lawyer will talk through your family circumstances, your current financial needs and your long-term goals in order to establish the best way to protect your estate. 

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we take the time to understand your situation and tailor our estate planning legal advice to your needs.  

Our friendly and professional solicitors will work closely with you to ensure that any estate planning solutions suit you and best protect your money and your loved ones. 

To speak to one of our estate planning specialists about protecting your assets, call us now on 020 8852 4433 or email enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk. 

Seeking specialist legal advice from a solicitor at an early stage can also help reduce the amount of tax you may need to pay.  

An estate planning specialist knows about the laws of inheritance tax and will utilise any available exemptions to mitigate the amount of tax payable on your estate. Trusts, lifetime gifts and charitable gifts can all help reduce your inheritance tax liability. An estate planning solicitor will explain what is right for you. 

3. Write a Will. 

An up-to-date Will is one of the most important legal documents a person needs and a necessary estate planning tool.  

A Will not only ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes but also makes it easier for your family or friends to administer your estate after your death. 

Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy (ie. rules that are laid down by the Government) and they may not be in line with your own wishes. Your family may also be left with a long, stressful process which could lead to disputes over inheritance. 

With a well-drafted Will and appropriate legal advice, your beneficiaries may also benefit from your estate paying less inheritance tax. 

4. Make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). 

An LPA gives one or more people the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf regarding your property, financial affairs or health and welfare in the event that you lose capacity to make decisions for yourself.  

LPAs are not simply for the elderly. Mental or physical incapacity can hit at any time such as through an accident or an illness and it is worth planning ahead to ease the potential burden on your loved ones. 

You can only make an LPA while you still have mental capacity. If you lose mental capacity without an appropriate LPA in place, a family member or loved one would have to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as your ‘deputy’. 

Making an LPA in good time is a valuable insurance policy that safeguards your future and that of your loved ones. 

Solicitors for Estate Planning Blackheath 

Our private client solicitors at Beverley Morris & Co. have extensive experience in helping individuals and families address their legal needs. 

Our specialist solicitors work with you to ensure you receive a joined-up, all-round approach to estate planning.  

Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors will ensure that all bases are covered and that you, your assets, and your interests are protected. 

With offices in Blackheath, we have provided Wills, trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning services to individuals throughout London and the South East for many years. 

To speak to our Estate Planning solicitors today, call 020 8852 4433 or email enquiries@beverleymorris.co.uk. 

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