Our Services
At Lakes Legacies, I provide a professional, friendly Will-writing service for individuals, couples, and families across Kendal, Arnside, Milnthorpe, Grange-over-Sands, Carnforth, Windermere, and throughout the Lake District and Cumbria.
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Whether you need to write your first Will, update an existing one, create a trust to protect your loved ones or ensure your legal documents are stored securely, I’ll make the process simple, clear, and tailored to your needs.
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Appointments are available in your home or via video call anywhere in the UK.
Why Having a Will is so Important
A Will is one of the most important legal documents you will ever make. It allows you to:
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Decide who will inherit your assets
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Appoint guardians for your children
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Leave specific gifts or charitable donations
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Make your funeral wishes clear
Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to the law - which may not match your wishes. If you die intestate (without a Will) it could cause your family a lot of stress and expense at a time when they are grieving.
Types of Wills
Single Wills
Ideal for individuals who want to set out clear instructions for their estate and personal wishes.
Mirror Wills
Perfect for couples who wish to make similar provisions, offering peace of mind and simplicity.
Additional Will Trusts
For more complex situations, I can incorporate trusts into your Will, including:
Vulnerable Persons Trusts
Helps look after money or property for someone who is disabled or otherwise in need of extra support. It makes sure their finances are managed safely, while still protecting their benefits and giving loved ones peace of mind for the future.
Life Interest Trusts
Protect assets for certain beneficiaries while providing income or use of the property for others, often used in second marriages.
Discretionary Trusts
Give trustees flexibility to decide how and when beneficiaries receive funds.
Right of Residence Trusts
Allow someone to remain in your home for life or a set period before it passes to other beneficiaries.
Severance of Tenancy
If you own a property jointly with someone else, it’s usually held as Joint Tenants, meaning the property automatically passes to the other owner when one of you dies. By changing this to Tenants in Common (known as severing the tenancy), you can leave your share of the property to someone else in your will. This is often used to protect children’s inheritance, particularly in second marriages.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint trusted people (your attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to.
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Without an LPA in place, your loved ones may have to go through a lengthy and costly court process to make decisions for you.
Types of LPAs I Offer:
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Property & Financial Affairs LPA – Your attorneys can manage your bank accounts, pay bills, deal with property, and handle your finances.
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Health & Welfare LPA – Your attorneys can make decisions about your medical treatment, care needs, and day-to-day welfare.
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Both LPAs Together – The most comprehensive protection for your future.
My LPA service includes:
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Acting as your Certificate Provider to confirm you understand the document and are making it voluntarily
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Guiding you through every question in plain English
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Ensuring your LPA is registered correctly with the Office of the Public Guardian
Secure Document Storage
Once your Will or LPA is complete, it’s vital to keep it safe and accessible. I partner with National Will Safe, a secure, climate-controlled storage facility, to ensure your important legal documents are protected.
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Benefits of secure storage:
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Documents stored in a central, highly secure, environmentally controlled facility
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Scanned copies for additional peace of mind
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Fully insured for replacement in case of loss or damage
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Free access at any time for you or your executors
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Annual direct debit payment, with part of the fee covering ongoing professional support
Why it matters:
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Documents stored at home can be lost, damaged, or accidentally destroyed
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Executors always know exactly where to find the originals
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You have a trusted professional to help with access requests
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
