Putting your future planning in safe hands

STEP, the professional body that maintains standards for estate planning services, has released the results of a members’ survey that should act as a warning to people planning their future.

The survey found that 79% of members had come across cases of errors in wills. Over half of members had concerns about ‘rogue firms’ making false claims about wills (leading to increased tax bills). Sixty-three per cent had come across cases where a will writing company had quoted a fee but then charged extra, outside the terms of business. And over half had come across firms making false claims about the wills they’re selling to clients.

This is hugely worrying for those that unwittingly put their trust in the wrong people. STEP warns that unqualified or incompetent advisors are taking advantage of clients or letting them down because they don’t have the necessary skills and knowledge. It’s a situation we, as trusted wills and probate solicitors, are keen to draw attention to so that people can be confident in the legal advice and support they’re getting.

Planning for the future, for example by making a will or setting up a trust, is an important step for someone to take. Finding that the plans put in place are ineffective or even detrimental to your personal and financial position can be devastating for individuals and for families. STEP has highlighted the problem of incorrect advice about avoiding care home fees, and of poor advice leading to substantial parts of an estate being spent on legal fees or tax. A host of other difficulties can be caused when attempts to design and formalise clients’ estate plans are made by people ill-equipped to do so.

If you are ready to start your estate planning, or you would like a review of plans you’ve put in place, contact our team. We’ll provide the very best advice so that your future, and that of your loved ones, is taken care of.

Contact us today on info@bsandi.co.uk or call us on 01264 353411 and speak to one of our team.