This month we are focusing on the importance of making a Will and what can happen if you don’t.

It’s something that many of us put off as, to some extent, it reminds us of our own mortality. But making a Will makes it much easier for your family or friends to sort everything out when you die. Without a Will the process can be more time consuming and stressful.

Writing a Will is especially important if you have children or other family who depend on you financially, or if you want to leave something to people outside your immediate family. Or perhaps you have remarried and have children by a previous relationship and/or with your current spouse or civil partner, or perhaps you have investments or property you wish to leave to a person or charity.

A Will can also help reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax that might be payable on the value of the property and money you leave behind.

If you don’t write a Will, everything you own will be shared out in a standard way defined by the Law, which isn’t always the way you might want.

Our experienced Solicitor Ailsa Tatton-Shell can help you prepare a Will that accurately reflects your wishes and above all, gives you peace of mind and certainty for you and your loved ones. Ailsa and her team are also on hand to guide and advise you through the often daunting prospect of being an Executor and what’s involved when you are faced with winding up the affairs of someone you have lost.

Ailsa has specialised in Wills, Probate and Trust Law for over 25 years. Her areas of expertise also include advising Personal Representatives on the complex laws surrounding Intestacy (when someone dies without leaving a Will), Inheritance Tax Planning and Powers of Attorney.

Ailsa can be contacted on our main office number – 01752 895252

Being based in the South West, with its strong naval heritage and long association with the armed forces, Kings Solicitors are proud to support the Armed Forces Community and have registered our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

One of the ways we have chosen to pledge our support is to offer a discount to serving and retired members of the Armed Forces for all legal services.

Full details of our pledge can be read here Armed Forces Covenant (2)

It was time to get Christmassy on Friday 14th December and we took part in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day.

From musical jumpers to Christmas tree headwear, we had some fun and raised £50.00 for the charity.

A £2 donation could pay for the antibiotics to treat five children suffering from pneumonia, one of the biggest killers of children. Donations are also used to bring essential food, healthcare, education and protection to millions of children around the world who are missing out.

We are pleased that even our small donation will go towards saving children and changing futures.

We are members of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Below is our President’s press release on the new Rules surrounding price transparency implemented by our Regulator, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Society’s view on what to consider when choosing a Lawyer.

Choose a lawyer by weighing three important considerations, Law Society advises as new rules kick in

Small businesses and individuals who need legal advice on issues ranging from conveyancing to employment or immigration will be able to find regulated information from law firms about their fees and services, the Law Society of England and Wales said as new rules came into force.

“Many people seek legal advice at key moments in their life. Helping them make informed choices about the best way to resolve their legal problems is at the heart of our work,” Law Society president Christina Blacklaws said.

From 6 December 2018, firms must publish price and service information on their websites for the following areas of law:

Individual customers: residential conveyancing, probate, immigration (except asylum), road traffic offences, and employment tribunal claims (unfair/wrongful dismissal)

Business customers: employment tribunal claims (unfair/wrongful dismissal), debt recovery (up to £100,000), and licensing applications for business premises

Firms will be required to publish the total cost of services (or the average costs or range of costs), the basis of charges, key stages of the process and probable timeframes, any likely disbursements (and whether they include VAT) and the experience and qualifications of anyone carrying out the work.

Christina Blacklaws added: “Few legal problems are one-dimensional. Individual circumstances shape each case and so the advice each client needs will vary.

“Law Society research shows people’s priorities and decisions change as a legal situation escalates – the experience of their solicitor, and regulatory protections, were valued over cost the more difficult or complex an issue became. And the complexity of a case is not always apparent at the outset so it’s not possible to foresee every contingency on day one.

“Our advice to consumers is to make decisions about the legal services you use based on a balance of considerations. Price is of course important, but so also are the range and quality of services you get for your money, and the client protections offered by the provider.”

6 December 2018

The new extension and refurbishment of our premises in Fore Street is finished!

Our offices now have a light, modern feel with additional floorspace to accommodate extra staff members, new ladies, gents and disabled toilets, a kitchenette and refurbished meeting room and entrance hallway.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!