DIY Wills - Don't do it!

We live in a society where, to save money, we attempt tasks ourselves that really should be undertaken by professionals.

You may have seen (and possibly heard) about home improvement DIY disasters. People make a living from creating cartoons relating to such disasters, but have you ever considered what may happen if you attempted a DIY Will? A Will than can be purchased "off the shelf"?

Andrew Way, Partner at Latimer Hinks comments on a recent court case relating to DIY Wills.

Court Case Highlights Danger of DIY Wills

DIY Wills are a risky business. Problems can arise if the Will was not correctly signed and witnessed. Drafting mistakes can leave the Will open to misinterpretation and could possibly render the Will useless. Not taking care of details such as this can prove very costly and sometimes distressing for those left to deal with it.

So, to avoid your Will being deemed unlawful or challenged by family members, good instructions, advice and legal guidance should be taken.

How to Tackle Debt Head On

In this current recession debt can be a problem for many businesses as well as individuals. Mark Gardner, Partner at Latimer Hinks Solicitors provides ten top tips on how to tackle debt head on.

It seems to me, if we talk to people and take advice early on, debt problems won't spiral out of control. Sharing a problem, halves a problem.

Social networks/forums could be used initially to find advice/research the problem - probably free of charge. How you use the advice is then up to the individual.

Latimer Hinks Solicitors Support the Elderly

We have all heard, through acquaintances, the media, the press how easily the elderly can be misled or taken advantage of.

At Latimer Hinks we are aware that when it comes to sorting out your affairs solicitors are often the last on the list. Too often, people delay what they want. Sometimes it is too late and when it then falls to others to make arrangements for them.

Solicitors for the Elderly is an organisation committed to providing and promoting robust, comprehensive and independent legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their family and carers

Most of our Private Client lawyers are members of Solicitors for the Elderly . Not just any lawyer can be a member of SFE. Members must have spent a substantial amount of their time working for elderly clients and have also have to fulfil criteria for membership.

Recently, Claire Farrell and Natalie Walker became Joint Regional Co-ordinators for the North East Branch of Solicitors for the Elderly

If you need information/advice on any of the elderly issues listed below please don't hesitate to contact Latimer Hinks. We're here to help.

• Estate planning using wills, trusts and lifetime giving
  Powers of attorney
  Court of Protection
  Probate and the administration of estates
  Trust administration
  Tax Planning
  Living Wills
  The provision of home care
  Preserving assets in the event of long term residential or nursing care
  Residential and nursing home contracts
  Advice on financial responsibility and funding for long-term care, including continuing NHS health care
  State retirement and widows pensions
  Long-term care insurance policies
  Mental Health legislation

Free Webcast - RSS, Social Media, Blogs etc

Came across this free webcast which will be playing on the 17th February and thought i'd share with you! The full title is:

Web 2.0 - Leveraging New Media to Maximize Your Securities & Compliance Practice

Yes, it is a mouthfull!

Brought to us by a company called Securities Docket here is the link to the Webcast

Anyone/business interested in promoting via the web should make a point of watching it live, or watching the recording later on.

Thanks to Securities Docket!

Long Term New Year Resolutions

resolutions are failed
Originally uploaded by lenaah

Every New Year's Eve millions of people make New Year's resolutions. It may be to quit smoking, lose weight, stop drinking, spend less or spend more time with loved ones - generally we make these resolutions to make our life better.

Unfortunately, New Year's resolutions tend to be abandoned early in the year.

So, why not consider making resolutions that will have a more permanent, long-lasting effect.

Latimer Hinks has launched a list of New Year Resolutions to help keep your personal affairs up to date - Resolutions which will have a major impact on your life in the long term - well worth considering!

Innovative Farm Diversification - Latimer Hinks Advise from the Start

Crabtree Hall Business Centre is an innovative farm diversification project.

Latimer Hinks Solicitors have been involved with the project from the outset.

Because of this early involvement Latimer Hinks were able to advise pro-actively on legal issues rather than reacting to problems faced further down the line.

The full press release can be seen here

Photo:
Anne Elliott and Nicola Neilson, Partners at Latimer Hinks
Stephanie Pybus, Crabtree Hall. Photo taken outside the Crabtree Hall development