Introduction to Wills and LPAs

Willsedited

by Yours |
Updated on

Forward planning is the best way to ensure that your wishes are carried out throughout your lifetime and beyond.

Having the correct legal documents in place, and up to date, helps to safeguard your wishes so that your estate is taken care of by those you trust and as you intended.

Yours partner, provides a professional service to give you peace of mind.

Key can help you…

Arrange your Will

Incorporate Trusts within your Will, where applicable

Draw up a Living Will

Put together Lasting Powers of Attorney

Recommend a document security service to keep your legal paperwork safe until it is needed

What Key offer

Each customer will have their own dedicated specialist who’ll guide them through the whole process at their own pace and in plain English.

A dedicated specialist will take all of your instructions over the telephone, so you can stay in the comfort of your own home whilst ensuring that your estate planning needs are being taken care of.

Key offers every customer exceptional service and expert advice. Offering unlimited complementary after-sales care, your dedicated specialist will be on hand to help you through every step of your journey.

The two main estate planning products offered by Yours, in partnership with Key, are Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Wills

A Will is a legally binding document which sets out your wishes for the future and determines how your estate should be distributed when you pass away.

Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed in line with the Laws of Intestacy. These laws do not take into account your personal circumstances or family’s wishes and could see your estate divided between those who you otherwise may not have chosen.

By having a valid Will, you can be sure that your wishes will be carried out as you intend, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

A Last Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which gives the person(s) of your choice the power to deal with your affairs. These trusted people will become your legally appointed attorney(s) and will be able to use these documents to act on your behalf whenever necessary.

There may come a time in your life when you may not be able to express how you want your financial affairs and/or health to be taken care of. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can ensure your wishes are carried out.

There are two types of LPAs, each dealing with different aspects of your life.

Property and Financial Affairs LPA

This type of LPA can be used at any stage of your life, not just if you lose your mental capacity, and can be used either short or long term, depending upon your needs.

Reasons for needing a Property and Financial Affairs LPA can include:

A hospital stay

Holidays

Adverse weather (e.g. flooding or being snowed in)

Frailty

This type of LPA covers the whole spectrum of your finances from bank accounts to pensions, utility bills to benefits, mortgages to equity release and much more.

Health and Welfare LPA

This LPA can only come into effect after you lose your mental capacity. In such a situation, it gives your trusted, nominated person(s) the authority to make any and all decisions regarding all aspects of your health and personal welfare.

These decisions can range from:

Giving or refusing consent to particular types of healthcare or medical treatments

Deciding whether you stay in your own home to receive care or are moved into residential care

Making decisions regarding your day-to-day activities including your diet, dress and daily routine

Without this form of LPA your family may find themselves powerless to help you if you lose your mental capacity.

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