Will drafting and pension provision
Thinking about this in good time, what comes after the in the event of one’s own death or serious illness should be done – this is an act of care towards your surviving relatives, which spares them unnecessary suffering or disputes in the event of an emergency. As specialist solicitors in inheritance and tax law, we provide you with comprehensive support throughout this process – from the initial ideas and wishes until the clear and the legally valid drafting of the relevant documents.
Wills and Inheritance Agreements
If you do not make any arrangements, the statutory order of succession will apply. That is something you can rely on 100 per cent. What you cannot rely on, however, is that this statutory order of succession will produce the outcome you desire for your estate and your assets. Perhaps your spouse, a business or a property requires special protection. Or there may be people who would receive nothing, but to whom you would like to leave something. Perhaps you have specific ideas about how you would like to distribute your assets, or you would like to protect your assets from inheritance tax as effectively as possible.
Intestacy takes second place to testamentary succession. By means of a will or an inheritance contract, you can make provisions to take effect upon your death. You can appoint or disinherit heirs, distribute the estate amongst the heirs in specific terms, and make bequests. You can appoint an executor. Through your last will and testament, you can protect your assets from being seized by potential creditors of your heirs, former partners or social security authorities.
We can advise you on your options and draw up clear and legally sound wills for you.
Our services:
- Advice on possible design options
- Drafting of wills and inheritance agreements
- Drafting of related contracts, such as an agreement to waive the statutory share
Power of attorney for healthcare, care directive, living will
By taking action in good time, you can ensure that, in the event of an emergency, decisions can be made on your behalf by someone you trust – someone you have chosen yourself, rather than someone selected by someone else. Under a lasting power of attorney, you appoint a person you trust to act on your behalf should you lose the capacity to act and make decisions.
The power of attorney may cover both financial matters and personal matters such as medical treatment and decisions regarding where the person is to live. The lasting power of attorney should be combined with a guardianship directive, which provides for the eventuality that the guardianship court orders the appointment of a guardian despite the existence of the lasting power of attorney. With the guardianship directive, you can appoint a guardian or exclude certain individuals from acting as guardians.
You should also make use of the option to provide binding instructions in the event of a crisis, specifying whether and how medical treatment should be provided or how your care should be organised. Furthermore, you can appoint a person you trust to ensure that your living will is carried out.
Our services:
- Advice on how best to prepare for the event of a serious illness.
- Drafting of powers of attorney for healthcare, care directives and living wills