Wills, estates and retirement

Deciding what happens to your assets when you no longer have control over them due to poor health or even passing away is called succession planning.

What kind of solicitor can help with your succession planning? 

For most legal issues that to do with wills, estates and retirement you should look for a solicitor who practices in succession law. These are called succession solicitors. Talk to a succession solicitor to help you prepare for your future.

Succession law is comprised of:

  • Estate planning – drafting wills, enduring powers of attorney, advance health directives and other documents to help succession planning
  • Estate administration – involving administration and finalisation of an estate. This includes obtaining a grant of probate, settling estate debts and transferring property to beneficiaries
  • Estate litigation – providing advice to persons who wish to contest the will or wish to seek further provision from the estate.

Top tip

If you have a complex matter, you may need a Succession law accredited specialist.

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When you might need a succession solicitor?

Planning for your future is important. Succession planning includes:

A valid will is the best way to decide what happens to your assets after you pass away. A will should be updated with each big life event (marriage, children, divorce etc). If you don’t have a valid will, the government can decide what happens to your assets. A succession solicitor can help you make a valid will, or check if your current will is valid.

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your business when you retire, or if you pass away unexpectedly? A succession solicitor can help you make a plan for your retirement, or in case something happens to you. This will help protect your family and employees.

To make sure your best interests are protected when you get older or experience health issues, you can give somebody you trust an enduring power of attorney. This gives that person the power to make medical and financial decisions for you once you can’t make those decisions yourself. A succession solicitor can help you decide if having an enduring power of attorney would be a good idea for you and your family, and help you set very specific limits to these powers.

An advanced health directive lets you give detailed instructions about future medical treatments you do and don’t want to receive if you can’t communicate at the time. This might happen if you have dementia, a stroke, or an accident, for example. A succession solicitor can help you put an advanced health directive in place, which will make sure you receive the treatment you want.

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When it comes to dealing with situations where the law is involved– speaking to a solicitor is key to making sure you get the right advice.

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