Reasons Why Everyone Should Have a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney

It is so important for everyone to have a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place; no matter how old you are or how straightforward you think your circumstances are. Here are a few reasons as to why you should have these documents in place…

1. LPAs – Next of Kin Don’t Have Legal Authority

There are two different types; one for Property and Financial Affairs, and one for Health and Welfare. Your next of kin do not have legal authority to make decisions about these matters if you lose capacity. You could lose capacity at any age for a number of different reasons; an illness, an accident or on a temporary basis if you are in a coma or having an operation.

2. LPAs for Business Owners

You can have separate Lasting Powers of Attorney for your Personal Financial Affairs and your Business Financial Affairs, and choose different people to act. If you are uncontactable, travelling, incapacitated due to an illness or accident, then you will still need someone to act on your behalf to make day to day decisions about the Business i.e. signing off pay-roll, paying tax to HMRC to avoid penalties, etc. The LPAs can be drafted in a flexible way to suit your requirements.

3. Wills for Unmarried Couple

If you are unmarried and if you die without a Will then your girlfriend or boyfriend is not legally entitled to receive any of your own assets. You need to do a Will specifically providing for your other half

4. Wills for Young Families

If you have young children, your Will can appoint guardians and trustees to look after them and the money if something happens to you.

5. Wills for People with Children from Previous Relationships

A Will can ensure that your partner is provided for after your death and guarantee that your assets will definitely pass to your children from a previous relationship after your partner’s death.

6. Wills for People with Vulnerable Beneficiaries

If you want to leave money to your children, grandchildren or other beneficiaries, but you are concerned about them receiving a lot of money in one lump sum, you could consider including a trust in your Will to help the beneficiaries manage the money. This can also help to preserve the beneficiaries’ entitlement to means tested benefits.

7. Asset Protection & Divorce

If you want to leave money to your children, grandchildren or other beneficiaries, but you do not want money to pass to their spouses or civil partners, or if they are going through a divorce, or bankruptcy proceedings, then you can leave money to a trust to act as a buffer between the money and the beneficiary so there is a less chance that the money will be included in bankruptcy or divorce proceedings.