It’s never too soon to plan for your own security and to enable someone to help you when the time comes, but it is a real risk that you can leave it too late.

It is so important, while you are fit and well enough to do so, that you make sure you have an up to date Will in place and that you consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Quite often, both documents are discussed and put in place at the same time.

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows us to put in place people who can manage our affairs when we are alive, and a Will allows someone to manage our affairs after we have died and sets out our wishes.

It is important to remember that having a Will in place does not mean that anyone named in the Will as your executor can legally assist you with your affairs during your lifetime. Your Will does not take effect until you die.

Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney allows someone to deal with your affairs in the event that you can’t. It also means that you get to choose who will deal with your affairs rather than the court deciding. This is particularly important if there are any frictions in the family or you prefer a friend or someone other than a family member to help you.

Unfortunately, people often don’t realise until it’s too late the importance of making a Will and quite often people will have misconceptions about what will happen if I they don’t make a Will. For those you leave behind, finding solutions can lead to conflict and involve considerable time and expense.

It is important to continue to review any Wills or Power of Attorney documents that you already have in place to make sure they still work the way you want them to. For example, if you have included someone in your Will that has died before you, depending upon how the Will is worded could mean any gift to that person lapses, passes to their children or other beneficiaries.

RMNJ Solicitors offer a free and no obligation advice about making a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney at a fixed price. Simply call RMNJ to speak to Ray, Ian or Lindsay on 0151 666 8746.