Why do I need a business Lasting Power of Attorney?

Posted on 22nd October 2018

If you are a business owner, making sure that someone can make decisions on your behalf could make the difference between your business continuing or failing.

You can authorise someone to make decisions with a lasting power of attorney (LPA). This is important if you are abroad, have an accident and are unconscious or have a medical condition such as dementia, for example.

You can give someone you trust authority to pay bills, sign cheques, manage a business loan and pay salaries.

Planning for the future of your business

Posted on 11th October 2018

Whether you’re just starting your business or thinking about retirement, it’s well worth spending some time to plan what you would like to happen when you die.

What type of business do you have?

If you are a sole trader or you control all of the shares in your company, you don’t need to consult anyone else.

However, as a partner or a shareholder in a limited company, you will need to take your partnership or shareholders' agreement into account. If you want to make changes you will need to agree the new terms with the other people involved.ick on this text to edit it.

Things that could make your will invalid

Posted on 24th September 2018

When you have taken the time to make your will you’ll want to be sure your your wishes are going to be carried out.

Unfortunately, there are a number of things that can make all or part of your carefully considered will invalid.

If your will is not legally valid your estate will be shared out under the rules of intestacy, which will not necessarily be as you would wish.

How long does it take to set up LPAs?

Posted on 19th September 2018

The latest report from the of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) says that, although things have improved, it still takes 34 days for your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to be finalised.

But that’s just the last part of the process.

Before your LPA can become effective, there are several important steps you will need to take.

Is there something you’re dying to say?

Posted on 20th August 2018

In Britain we’re not very good at talking about one of the few life events that we can be sure about. Our death.

It’s good to talk

Even though almost one third of us say that we think about dying once a week, we don’t talk about it, explain our wishes to our loved ones or make any plans.

The hospice and neurological care charity, Sue Ryder, is encouraging people to talk to those closest to them about their own death.

Living with dementia

Posted on 15th August 2018

Those of us currently leading active, healthy lives can look forward to living for many more years than earlier generations.

However, the Alzheimer’s Society has recently published figures showing the number of people living with dementia will more than double in the coming decades, partly because we are all living longer.

Civil partnerships aren't available for everyone yet

Posted on 7th August 2018

In June a couple succeeded in their legal bid to have civil partnerships recognised for heterosexual couples.

The Supreme Court said the Civil Partnership Act, which currently applies only to same-sex couples, is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

However, the judgement doesn’t mean that the government will have to change the law.

Your dementia diagnosis won’t stop you making a will

Posted on 28th June 2018

When you’re heading into your later years, one concern that will probably persistently niggle at the back of your mind is the risk of dementia.

Steps to prevent dementia

In an ideal world we could all delay or avoid the onset of dementia entirely.

There is now a new national plan for family doctors to assess your dementia risks as part of the NHS health check, which is offered to patients aged between 40 and 74. You will be asked about your current lifestyle and be advised about steps you can take to reduce your level of risk.

Family misfortunes

Posted on 4th June 2018

In the television show ‘Family Fortunes’ relations work together. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case. This is a true and very sad story…

Two sisters eventually escaped from their violent father and drunken, uncaring mother. In their adult lives they helped and supported each other.

One of the sisters started a family and built a strong network of friends. Unfortunately, the other sister’s emotional scars from their early childhood experiences went so deep that she was unable to resist them.

It’s your funeral – do it your way

Posted on 23rd May 2018

There’s a growing trend for highly personalised funerals according to Sun Life’s most recent ‘Cost of Dying’ report. The report says that more than eight out of ten funeral directors (82%) have seen an increase in ceremonies that they describe as a ‘celebration of life’.

Your special requests

Half of all funeral services now include popular songs and anthems including Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and Bob Marley’s ‘Don’t Worry’.

More unusual requests for the service itself have included people wearing sports team strips, Hawaiian shirts or Wellingtons.