When a loved one is admitted to hospital and lacks mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, having a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place can be vital. But even if you are named as their attorney, you may be unsure how and...
Many people have probably heard professionals saying that Lasting Powers of Attorney are arguably more important than any other document, but why is this the case? There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). One to deal with your property...
If you have been caring for someone who has an impairment of their mind or brain and they have trusted you to make decisions on their behalf under a lasting power of attorney, you may be wondering when you can make such decisions for them. Mental illness can...
We encourage people to plan ahead to help reduce their inheritance tax (IHT) bill, as well as having three key documents in place to protect themselves and their family with Our Platform. Latest figures from HMRC show that inheritance tax receipts have...
If you are helping a loved one who is ill or vulnerable in their later life, whether formally or informally, there are various bodies that you might encounter with whom you will need to liaise to assist you with your loved one’s affairs. In this blog...
Our solicitors Sharon Richardson , Belinda-Jane Poulter , Bethany Worthy and Emma Silkstone are proud Accredited Lifetime Lawyers (previously known as Solicitors for the Elderly). They’re some of the most qualified specialists in the country in...
Does your next of kin have an automatic right to make decisions regarding your finances and health if you lose mental capacity? The answer is NO. In order to give someone the legal authority to manage your financial affairs and to make medical decisions...
Trusts are typically used to preserve assets for loved ones in private client estate planning, and many trusts are fairly inactive a lot of the time. Often action is only required when the trust is first set up, when assets are distributed, or when the trust...
If you have been asked to be an attorney for someone under their power of attorney, whether for finances or health and welfare, then they have placed their trust in you to act in their best interests at all times. This will also be the case if they did not...
The role of a deputy is similar to that of an attorney. If you are acting as an attorney, this will be because the person you are acting for specifically chose you to act and they made a document called a ‘power of attorney’ at a time when they...
Emma Silkstone, solicitor in our Private Client team, has been recognised with a national accreditation for her expertise in legal support for older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers. The accreditation is awarded by SFE (Solicitors for the...
A common concern for our clients and their families is the prospect of having to sell the family home in order to meet care costs. There are many articles and schemes online which seem to indicate that selling a home can be avoided, but often these schemes...
While financial assets can be divided relatively easily when settling an estate, this is not usually possible with heirlooms such as a painting, a piece of furniture or individual pieces of jewellery. Even if items are not valuable, such items may be the...
If you have been asked to act as an attorney for someone you may wonder when it will come into effect, especially if the power of attorney was made some time ago when your friend or relative was in good health. There was an important change in 2007, and so...
Probate is a term which is loosely used to cover the administration of an estate, and it has a reputation for being a lengthy process. The administration includes a number of key stages, including obtaining the grant of probate, paying out to beneficiaries,...
A common concern for many people as the population is now living much longer is what will happen to their property if they need to go into a care home. Naturally, people want to protect the assets they have worked hard for during their life, however,...
The Trust Registration Service regime will be extended from the 1 September 2022. From this date, the categories of Trusts that are required to register with HMRC will be significantly broadened, and subject to any specific exclusions in the new rules, will...
On top of the heartbreak and worry that a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness can cause, there will be a raft of concerns and uncertainties about your care and financial affairs, and it can be difficult to know exactly how to prepare from a legal...
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced a new, user-friendly website to allow next of kin to claim underpaid state pensions owed to those who have passed away. It follows criticism of the lack of information and guidance given to...
Acting as an executor means that you are responsible for reporting the value of the estate and declaring any inheritance tax due, so it is important to make sure you follow correct procedures. Since January 2022, new rules apply in respect of reporting...
The Ministry of Justice recently announced all users of the probate service will pay a single, flat rate fee of £273, following its consultation in 2021. Currently, fees are £155 for professional users and £215 for non-professional users....
The white paper on social care in England and new cap on care fees brings more confusion to an already confused system. It’s unlikely to save many people any money and does nothing to alleviate the immediate crisis facing social care. There...
House prices continue to rise faster than most other investments and property is often the most valuable asset in someone’s estate when they die. But it is also a home and may need to remain a home for a surviving partner, spouse, or children. If you...
Making a lasting power of attorney for your finances is an important part of lifetime legal planning, especially if you have built up a portfolio of assets and investments which require regular management. While this legal authority needs to be set up well...
Daphne Frank’s devasting account of her mother falling victim to a predatory marriage highlights the need for better protection of vulnerable people who could be targeted by abusers. Members of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), the national membership...
Living through a global pandemic has meant seeing loved ones taken from us at an alarming rate, and it has been distressing for many to see someone taken into hospital and not know if you might be able to see them again. ‘ Whilst planning...
If you are someone’s executor , then it can be tempting to try to administer the estate yourself with a view to saving money. If the estate is simple and you are comfortable with the legal and tax regulations, then this may be straightforward. ...
We all have the right to leave our money and property to whoever we please when we die, but the decisions we make must be arrived at freely and without undue influence from family, friends or others who hope to secure an inheritance. Our specialist Will...
The documentary “Kate Garraway: Finding Derek” aired this week and highlighted the struggles TV presenter Kate has faced since her husband, Derek Draper, was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 in March 2020. Kate has openly spoken about the...
Like many government organisations, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) has been increasing its digital services over the past few years as it aims to provide a more streamlined system for probate registries. While the...
Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors is taking part in the St Leonard’s Hospice’s Make a Will Month taking place in October 2020, giving you the opportunity to have your Will written by a solicitor in exchange for a donation towards patient care at St...
Finding suitable care for yourself, a relative or friend can be extremely daunting and it can be very difficult to know which way to turn, especially if the care is needed in an emergency situation rather than over a gradual time period. Having access to...
In this article we aim to explain why an individual may be vulnerable to harm or abuse, what to look out for and action you can look to take. Are you aware of someone you know who may be a vulnerable person or have capacity issues? They may be a family...
The decisions and plans you make now will have a huge impact on your later life. Getting them right is essential. An SFE accredited solicitor is an expert in elder client law and will ensure you get the best possible legal advice for your future or the...
Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) has launched its latest campaign to raise awareness of the importance of health and welfare LPA’s with the report ‘ The Incapacity Crisis – a nation unprepared ’. The report urges consumers to have a...
Last week it was announced that Dame Barbara Windsor is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia. According to Barbara’s husband Scott Mitchell, she first showed symptoms in 2009 when her close friends and...
On 1 February 2018 the Office of the Public Guardian launched a scheme allowing almost 2 million people to claim a refund on fees paid to register Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). During the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2017 significantly more people...
Whatever you decide about your future, it's important to involve a specialist solicitor who will give you impartial advice and act in your best interest. We are members of Solicitors for the Elderly and can help you. Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is a...
Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors is the Founder Member for the York area for Certainty. Certainty is a National Will Register and Will search service. It is used by the legal profession, the public, charities and financial institutions to register and...
The decisions and plans you make now will have a huge impact on your later life. Getting them right is essential. An SFE accredited lawyer is an expert in older client law and will ensure you get the best possible legal advice for your future. Sharon...
86% of people in the Yorkshire and the Humber are currently living with no control over important later-life decisions around their housing, assets, heath, and care, according to a new report by SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly), the national organisation...
It was a delightful to work with you and we will certainly come to you again for legal work.
We would recommend you to anyone as we were highly satisfied.
We have come across other legal teams and seen how their services have worked and we would highly recommend Crombie Wilkinson as they are competent and approachable in their services.
Everything was explained clearly and as a first time buyer I found this particularly helpful.
Have huge confidence in Crombies, always listen, always act.
Having had previous property related work completed in a prompt and satisfactory manner we were more than happy to approach your company for further work on our behalf.
Your firm did an excellent job meeting my expectations at a sensible cost.
You are available for the client, you communicate with the client, you do this within 24-48 hours, we feel safe with you because of this.
Our solicitor, secretary and the reception staff all excellent service.
Quick and easy, I have already recommended a friend, they are also using you to buy a house.
Your patience and support has been much appreciated. You helped me through a very difficult, frustrating time but I am already settled in my new home and the children all feel happy there, in fact they have hardly left!!
Everyone was so friendly, we were soon put at ease.
Immediate attention and sunny disposition, caring, nothing was too much. Levels of service are perfect, no improvement necessary.
I was very pleased with Crombie Wilkinson. I will in future always go back with any problems I may have.
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