HM Revenue & Customs has announced that as from 29th September 2009, all unpaid inheritance tax will incur 3% interest.
For more information on Inheritance Tax issues, contact Nia Wharry on Tel: 01256 320 555.
After successfully raising over £1,000 for Will Aid 2008, Clarke & Son LLP is once again participating in the scheme in 2009. The National campaign raises money for nine National and International charities including The British Red Cross, Help the Aged and NSPCC.
Will Aid puts people in touch with local participating solicitors who will draw up a basic Will free of charge. In return for the service, the clients donate a reduced amount to the charity as opposed to the Solicitors themselves. The suggested donation level is £75.00 for a Will for one person, £110.00 for ‘matching’ Wills for a couple or £40 for a codicil to an existing Will.
Nia Wharry, Wills & Probate Solicitor at Clarke & Son explains that the Scheme is very popular
“We get extremely busy at this time of year with this very worthwhile cause which gains momentum and publicity from year to year. The Scheme runs in November but I am currently taking appointments for this year’s Will Aid from mid-October to the end of November. Many appointments have already been booked in my diary, so I would ask clients who are interested to book an appointment as soon as they are able, to avoid disappointment”.
If you would like to make an appointment with a view to donating money to Will Aid please contact Nia Wharry, Wills & Probate Department on Tel: 01256 320 555.
In April 2009, great-grandmother Betty Figg was snatched by social workers against the wishes of her daughter, her former carer. Social workers arrived with police and a battering ram to remove the 86-year-old woman suffering from dementia from her daughter’s house. The media quickly spread pictures and video footage of Betty being taken from the house in her wheelchair with a towel thrown over her head.
It seems social services did not agree with Betty’s daughter that it was in Betty’s best interests to be cared by her daughter in a specially converted room, in her daughter’s home.
Could this happen to a family in Basingstoke?
There is a way that it can be avoided; by giving a health and welfare lasting power of attorney to a family member, social services are prevented from making care decisions. Without this document, social services can make decisions on behalf a vulnerable person, if they think they lack mental capacity and believe it is in their best interests. They do not have to follow what the family want and cannot be liable for their decisions.
Nia Wharry, of Clarke & Son solicitors, a member Solicitors for the Elderly, is encouraging all older people to plan ahead and make a health and welfare lasting power of attorney.
‘It is an important document and sensible to get advice about the choices you have. What happened to Mrs Figg may never happen to you, but if it does, you and your family will be glad you made the power.’
For further information on Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorneys, contact Nia Wharry on Tel: 01256 320 555.
