Charlotte Smith, in our leading Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts team, looks at the reasons to choose a lawyer who is a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, formerly Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).
Last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the principal competition regulator in the UK and a governmental department, launched a consumer investigation into the Will writing industry, an area of law that is currently unregulated and thus unfortunately leaves people vulnerable to inadequate provision of support and services.
The Association of Lifetime Lawyers acknowledges this and believes that people of any age who need specialist legal expertise, delivered with extra care, should be able to access such support – and we agree.
It is, in our opinion, crucial to seek advice from an accredited Lifetime Lawyer, who will not only have undertaken extensive legal training but moreover, training specifically focused towards specialised support of those who are vulnerable or elderly in accordance with a strict code of practice that has respect and dignity at its heart. Everyone deserves to have their wishes heard and members of our leading Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts team understand this; we are familiar with the difficulties more vulnerable clients can face and are well-equipped to guide them through the process.
The Association was established as SFE in 1996 and its members have been trained to provide the expertise require to advise you in relation to important decisions that can sometimes seem difficult or daunting.
Writing a Will should not be undertaken lightly- the decisions made should be based on personal circumstances and current legislation and our team can help you navigate the process with ease, providing personalised advice and solutions to meet your wishes. We can also advise you and your family on many other matters too, including Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax planning, lasting powers of attorney (LPAs), planning for care fees and ensuring that your wealth is preserved to pass on to the next generation.
Five reasons to choose a lawyer who is a member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers
Lawyers accredited by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers:
- specialise in advising vulnerable or older clients, their families and carers, having undertaken specialist additional training to become independently accredited.
- have significant experience, built up over many years of focusing on this area of law and are familiar with the issues affecting vulnerable clients.
- are used to dealing with matters in an approachable and understanding way, often going “above and beyond” to provide advice that easy to understand and an experience focused on clients’ individual needs.
- Focus on the ‘bigger picture,’ understanding that wider and perhaps more sensitive issues might affect your plans for later life and ensuring the best possible outcome for you is the main goal.
- are part of a community of experts, undertaking ongoing training and sharing best practice.
We are proud that a number of colleagues in our Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts team are Accredited Lifetime Lawyers.
For further information or legal advice, please contact law@blandy.co.uk or call 0118 951 6800.
This article is intended for the use of clients and other interested parties. The information contained in it is believed to be correct at the date of publication, but it is necessarily of a brief and general nature and should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice.
