Information
Feel free to peruse our FAQs page to find quick and on the spot answers to queries that you may have. Remember, we're always here to talk to you, please see our contact section to get in touch with us today with any questions you may have.
Frequently asked questions
It all began with a simple idea fueled by a deep passion. As a small business, we pride ourselves on personal attention and dedication to every detail. Our approach is rooted in quality and integrity, ensuring that everything we do reflects our commitment to excellence.
I want to protect my hard earned assets for my partner and/or children.Can you help me plan for any future care home fees?
Yes, absolutely. There are multiple Immediate Post Death Interest Trusts (IPDIs) which we can consider based on your unique assets and situation. Unlike some other providers we don't bulk sell pointless trusts on a comission basis, hence we will spend time during our appointment becoming acquainted with your priorities and domestic situation involving beneficiaries, before advising on what the best trust provision may entail.
Can I add trust protection, guardianship for minors, trusts for pets and vulnerable beneficiaries?
Yes absolutely. We offer the adition of trusts at no extra cost, included in whatever Will/Wills that you choose to do with us. We are dedicated to tailoring the correct trust provision to your unique circumstances and will discuss this in detail with you during our appointment.
Please summarise what different Wills and products you offer.
Certainly. We provide a range of Wills from single Wills for the individual person to Mirror Wills for couples and Trust Protected Wills for your unique estate and priorities. In adition to this, we also draft Lasting Power of Attorney (LPAs) of both types- Property and Finance and Health and Welfare so that we can protect your assets during your lifetime.
What is the difference between a Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Put plainly, a Lasting Power of Attorney, often abreviated as LPA, is a 'living Will', so to speak. In other words, it helps to protect your interests and assets whilst you are still alive (because for example, you are unable to do this yourself, due to ilness or injury) and up to the point of your passing, at which point your Will takes over control. There are two types of LPA. Property and Finance and Health and Welfare. The former allows your chosen attorney/attorneys to continue accesing your bank accounts, savings and finances as well as continuing to make payments in your name, if you should become incapacitated due to ilness or injury. Without having this type of LPA in place, if you were to be deemed incapacitated, your assets would be frozen and unaccesible by your partner, loved ones or children even if you have joint accounts. This type of LPA is particularly sensible for business owners. A Health and Welfare LPA ensures that in the event of incapacitation, when unable to stand up for your personal wishes, beliefs and healthcare choices, your attorney's words trump the decisions of healthcare professionals. You may appoint up to four attorneys on the LPA form and these can be anyone that you trust, for example- partner, children, close friends, family etc...
Why do I need a Will?
If you pass away without a formally recorded Last Will and Testament, complex statutory framework automatically takes over to redirect your assets to lineal as well as non-lineal descendants. This means that the chance of your estate passing to individuals who you may not favour, and your assets being used for purposes which you wouldn't have approved of during your lifetime in particularly high. Failing this, your assets will then automatically be given over to the State and your legacy vanishes permanently.
Do you do 'deathbed' emergency Wills?
Yes, absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of our self-empoyed nature and personal dedication to our customers is the ability to adopt a flexible and unoficial schedule in times of need. In the event of an emergency please contact us directly on 07931 806560. Text and Whatsapp is also monitored on this number. We will do our absolute best to accomodate you notwithstanding the time or the location. To be clear, we do not profiteer from peoples' life-circumstances ths there is no extra charge for emergency appointments. The prices that you see in our price list are the prices that you pay in every situation.
Do I have to instruct a Solicitor to write me a Will?
No. There is no legal requirement for Wills to be drafted by Solicitors alone. One of the major advantages of Shire Wills is that we are not bound by legal jargon and over-formality which can oftentimes negatively affect the Private Client legal sector. Instead we are a flexible and compassionate business who have decided to pioneer a personalised and vocational approach to looking after our clients whilst planning their affairs in contempletion of passing away.
How long are appointments? Do you charge for remote communication? What happens if I need your help in the future after you have completed my documents?
We don't run on a corporate timer. We aim to keep appointments to roughly between forty-five minutes to an hour but we appreciate that everyone has different requirements and needs, so we are fully flexible in supporting you indicidually.
All telephone and remote correspondence (Whatsapp, Text, Zoom etc...) is completely free and included in the price of your documents. Regarding home appointments, we only charge £20 for attending your home when you spend £85 or over (otherwise the rate is £50)
We are always here for you. We don't regard a Will as a one time two-dimensional trasaction. We are always happy to talk to you or re-visit you at home as and when required after we have completed your work. All our services include a lifetime dedication to continuing contact and support.