Will and POA

seasonalbiz

I didn't realy know where to post this... the heading seems to be planning for old age - and this is kind of plannig for the inevitable...

Could anyone give me a rough idea of what to pay for a Solicitor to arrange a will and POA for myself.

I have a very disfunctional family and no kids, if I pop off tomorrow (or become a cabbage for any unfortunate reason) - everything will default to my mother... which is would casue alot of issues (very disfunctional family).

It would just be a case of everything... house/business going to two close friends - or in the case of becoming a cabbage, same two take care of things.

I have a Solicitor firm I've used in the past whom know me, but don't like to walk in blind... mostly countryside out here so not London/city legal rates.


Thanks.

Flugelhorn

you can do the POA yourself - no need for a solicitor to do it 

crv1963

I suggest that you ring a few local firms and ask the costs, it would seem the best way of getting an idea in your location. You can take those who are to have the POA with you as they will need to confirm they will do the task, although they can do this in writing in reply to your Solicitor, it just speeds setting it up.

FlorayG

October is Free Wills Month. You can get it done for free at certain solicitors which engage with certain charities. No catch, the charity just hopes you will leave them something in exchange ( and I think most people do)
My will cost me just £26 for the identity checks and nothing at all for two visits to solicitors. One of my friends who just went direct to solicitors ended up paying £500 for hers

elsien

As above, unless the LPA is complicated, there is no need to involve a solicitor.

However, you do need to decide who you want to act as your power-of-attorney, whether you want to finances and health/ welfare and whether the relevant people are willing to act in that capacity for you.

if none of your friends want to take on the role and there isn’t anyone else it’s comparatively easy to find a solicitor who would act as financial LPA. It’s much harder to find one who will do health and welfare because they tend to feel that they don’t know you and your wishes and well enough to be able to express those should it be needed. 

If your friends would be willing to be consulted but don’t want the responsibility of being decision-makers the other option is to record them with your GP as someone you would want consulted in any health decisions should you lose capacity. If you don’t want family involved in any decision-making, you need to have that clearly in writing somewhere, because hospitals will default to blood relatives as their starting point.  You could also look at a living will for people to take into account. Lots of information about that online and some templates as well. 

Albermarle

Flugelhorn said:

you can do the POA yourself - no need for a solicitor to do it 

£84 for each one the last time I looked. A solicitor would probably charge £500?