• Basic Wills from £125.00
    Basic Wills from £125.00
    Without a valid Last Will and Testament any assets you leave on death will be distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy. These rules lay down a rigid method of estate distribution and make no account of your wishes. Click the image to read more...
  • We realise that most people haven’t experienced probate before. Probate is the administration of a deceased’s Estate by the appointed “executors” in the Will, usually family members. At an already difficult and emotional time, the complexities of executing a Will and establishing any appropriate Trusts can be an arduous task. Click the image to the left to read more...
  • Inheritance Tax is simply a tax on money or possessions you leave behind when you pass on.It can also apply to some “gifts” you make during your lifetime. It is therefore vital that you receive professional Inheritance Tax Advice on your position to minimise the impact and tax paid should the worst happen, ensuring that your loved ones receive as much of your money as possible. Click the image to the left to read more...
  • Without a valid Last Will and Testament any assets you leave on death will be distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy. These rules lay down a rigid method of estate distribution and make no account of your wishes, unless you write a will. Click the image to the left to read more...
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney from £150
    Lasting Powers of Attorney from £150
    Often serious illness or accidents strike without warning. Last year, for example, approximately 130000 people suffered strokes. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney being available this is when it becomes difficult... Click the image to the left to read more...

Fairer Care Funding

The Dilnot Commission Report was finally published on Monday 4 July 2011 . It contained recommendations to Government on possible ways of limiting the potential financial exposure of elderly people requiring care, as well as increasing the ‘means test’ threshold. It is an 86 page report with much supporting documentation.

In summary it says:- 1) Individuals should meet up to the first £50000 of care costs  2) Individuals requiring care should also be expected to pay up to £10000 per annum in addition for ‘living costs’  3) The means test threshold should be increased from the present £23250 to £100000  4) The estimated costs to Government to introduce these changes would be £2bn per annum and rising.

To implement any of this there needs to be inter-party debate to reach a consensus to progress, a white paper on the agreed changes for consultation, a Bill to be introduced in Parliament and then the funds to finance the consequences of it, if approved.  All in all it is quite likely that that we will see a change of Government before any new proposals are brought into force. History illustrates that more than 10 years ago a Royal Commission produced ideas for change and they were rejected as unaffordable despite the relative economic affluence at the time!

The only message is’ Keep planning to protect your assets for future generations of loved ones and family’ It is important you continue to use legal and effective ways to protect what you have worked so hard for to acquire.