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Our Covid-19 Risk Assessment
At Maples Solicitors, our top priority is keeping staff and clients safe during Covid-19.
We are working tirelessly to make our offices, meeting rooms, and communal spaces safe for everyone. These measures include social distance meeting for everyone and handwashing stations throughout the building. Phone or video call appointments are also available for those who do not feel safe leaving their homes.
You can read our Risk Assessment below, and if you have any question or concerns, please contact us at Enquiries@Maplessolicitors.com or 01775 722261
Wills During the Coronavirus Pandemic
We appreciate that many people will be considering making a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney now, more than ever, in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. At Maples Solicitors we will work around those who are self-isolating and we will continue to follow Government guidance by keeping our distance from others. This does mean that we can now offer “Through your Window Wills”. We will take instructions for your Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney via the telephone, video calls or e-mail and we can attend at your home and arrange the signing and witnessing of the documents through your window.
Our costs for dealing with Wills are as follows:-
Our Simple Wills service offers a comprehensive service to ensure that your wishes are carried out in the event of your death.
If you are married or have a partner and want to make mirror Wills our cost are £360 (inclusive of VAT).
This fee is made up of:
- Legal fee £300
- VAT on legal fees £60
If you want to make a single Will our costs are £210 (inclusive of VAT).
This fee is made up of:
- Legal fee £175
- VAT on legal fees £35
The Simple Will Service includes:
- Appointment of Executors
- Provision for your funeral wishes
- Appointment of Guardians for minor children
- Provision for specific legacies including money and personal items to named beneficiaries
- Basic Inheritance Tax advice
- Advice with regard to the distribution of your residuary estate to your intended beneficiaries
- Draft Will with full explanation in plain English sent to you in the post
- Answering any queries you have on the draft Will
- Face to face meeting at our offices to sign the Will with a Solicitor or Legal Executive
- Registration with Certainty the National Wills Register
- Secure lifetime storage
This service does not include:
- Complex inheritance tax advice and planning
- Assets that are situated abroad
- Property protection advice
- Advice with regard to disinheriting family members
If it becomes apparent additional work will be needed we will inform you of the additional work required and confirm the additional costs.
If you would like to make a “Through your Window Will” or Lasting Powers of Attorney please telephone the office on 01775 722261 or e-mail enquiries@maplessolicitors.com.
Assets on divorce - Can I keep the Family Home?
The Family Home
Each and every case is different and it is important to bear in mind that whether one party can retain the family home depends on the circumstances of the case; the extent of other assets in the marriage; the needs of any children and a variety of other factors.
There are a number of options as to what can happen to the family home and here are a few examples
- The home can be sold and the proceeds of the sale split between the parties, either equally or otherwise depending on the parties’ relative earning capacity;
- One party can buy the other out of the home by paying them a lump sum and having the house transferred into their sole name. This usually works on the basis that the party keeping the house takes on the existing mortgage and the other party is removed from it;
- One party can remain living in the home until any children turn 18, at which point the property is sold and the proceeds are split either equally or otherwise depending on the parties’ respective earning capacity. Where there are children involved this option can allow them to stay in their home without too much disruption;
- Where there is more than one property owned by the parties, the properties themselves may be transferred to either party so that each of them has a property to live in. One party would transfer one house to the other and be released from any mortgage on it and the other party would do the same with the second house; or
- The home can be transferred to one party subject to a ‘charge back’ securing an interest for the other party to receive a share when, for instance the youngest child of the family reaches the age of 18.
Pension - Can I get a share of my spouse’s pension?
There are many ways that pensions can be dealt with, but again there are some more common solutions:
- Pensions may be made subject to a Pension Sharing Order where a percentage of one party’s fund value is transferred to the other and invested in a pension in the other’s name;
- A pension’s value can also be offset meaning that one party retains more pension provision but the other receives a greater share of the family home and/or other assets; or
- Pensions can be subject to a pension attachment order whereby the other party is linked to the pension holder’s pension and retains an interest in it.
The assets of the marriage are divided up taking into account a variety of factors including the income and earning capacity of the parties and their respective needs.
Our expert Family team can advise you on any issue regarding finances on either divorce or separation, and what you might expect to be able to receive from a settlement or from an Order of the Court. If you would like further advice, please call 01775 722261 to arrange a meeting, or email anita.toal@maplessolicitors.com.
