What is around the corner?
We never know what is around the corner but there are three simple ways that we can prepare for the future.
1. Prepare a Will
A Will allows you to decide what happens to your possessions after your death. Without a Will, your estate will be distributed to certain family members in a fixed order without any regard to what your wishes and desires may have been. Many people who are not married or in a civil partnership believe that their partner may also be entitled to part of their estate, however there is no such thing as a “common law spouse” and so it is particularly important for these couples to make Wills.
2. Register a Lasting Power of Attorney
Many of us have experience of a loved one finding life more difficult as the years go by. Sometimes dementia or other conditions can erode away at our ability to make decisions. In the event that you or someone close to you becomes unable make decisions about financial matters, it may become necessary for others to take on those decisions.
The simplest way to cater for this eventuality is to have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for Property and Financial Affairs. It may be that you never need to use it, however if you choose to gamble and do not complete an LPA, then if you do lose capacity, the only other option is for someone to apply to the Court of Protection to become your Deputy. This process is far more expensive and time consuming and will prevent decisions being made in the interim.
3. Complete a Life Management Pack
Dealing with the death of a loved one can be one of the hardest things to do and is often made worse by the inability to find crucial information. Details of bank accounts, insurance documents, your Will or the Title Deeds for your property are all items that your family will need upon your death. Alternatively, it could be something as simple as your funeral wishes that they may struggle with. A Life Management Pack available free, only from Osborne Morris & Morgan, securely centralises all of this information which in the end will make it easier for your family.
