• March 29, 2024
 Law Society mark Dying Matters Awareness Week by calling on public to plan for future

Law Society mark Dying Matters Awareness Week by calling on public to plan for future

The Law Society have called on the public to take sorting their wills out off the back burner and put their affairs in order at the beginning of Dying Matters Awareness Week.

Society President Jonathan Smithers also warned against taking unregulated practitioners on and engaging a qualified solicitor to write a will. The Society also encouraged people to plan for the worst by educating themselves over Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA).

Jonathan Smithers said: “Everyone knows that making a will is important to ensure that their wishes are carried out after their death, but it is all too easy to keep it at the bottom of the to-do list. This week is an opportunity to pause and think about who you would want to benefit and to get your will drawn so you and your family can have peace of mind.

“It is worth taking care over a will to make sure that you understand tax liabilities and property rights are properly addressed, a solicitor can help explain the complexities and help you avoid any pitfalls.

“Cheap offers can come at a high price – a badly-written will can be financially and emotionally harmful for family and friends. A solicitor can help you avoid inadvertently leaving behind problems for loved ones.”

Jonathan Smithers went on to talk about Lasting Powers of Attorney and how best to plan for the unexpected, be it with a money and property LPA or a health and welfare LPA.

He continued: “These are big decisions, but Dying Matters Week may be the excuse you need to have this vital conversation with those close to you. Once you have an idea of what you – or perhaps your parents or other older relatives – want to do, talk to a solicitor about getting a Lasting Powers of Attorney drawn up and registered. Our Find a Solicitor service can help you – just enter your area and select ‘lasting powers of attorney.”

Josh Morris

Josh is the Journalist for the Today's Group and writes many of the articles for Today's Conveyancer. He graduated with a degree in Physics from Cardiff University in 2009 before training as a journalist. He has previously written for The Times, The Mirror and The Daily Express.