What would happen if age, illness or an accident meant you were no longer capable of looking after your own affairs? By preparing in advance, we can help you to make sure your family don’t face a difficult and complex time sorting out the legal authority to act on your behalf.
We believe there is no substitute for personal, one-to-one advice and we value the long-term relationships that we build with our clients. As a specialist team we are a member of STEP, and are qualified as Solicitors for the Elderly as well as being Dementia Friendly.
We are able to meet with you in the best place for you; be that your home, a nursing home or hospital.
From the first time we meet we’ll take the time to really get to know you, so that we understand the intricacies of what you need. We offer you clear, legal advice from experts in each field of law so that you can make the best decision for you. We put you first. We listen. And offer you a personal service that you can depend on.
How We WorkPlanning for later in life is something few of us want to think about. By making plans before they are needed you can be assured that your voice will be heard when it otherwise might not be. At Boyce Hatton, we can also help in structuring your estate efficiently and to maximum effect.
We recommend that everyone create a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). It gives the person(s) acting as your attorney the legal authority to make decisions about your personal welfare, property and finances if you’re unable to.
Planning for the future not only presents you with peace of mind, it helps to make clear decisions about the choices that effect you and those closest to you.
We have specialist lawyers in the team who are qualified to work with the elderly and work closely with agencies dealing with dementia. This means we always work in a way that is sensitive and respectful to the nature of this kind of planning.
You can choose whoever you think would be best to act on your behalf; in either a Personal Welfare LPA or a Property and Financial Affairs LPA.
This could be a spouse, trusted business partner, friend. Or, if you would be more comfortable giving this authority to someone removed from the situation, we’re happy to act for you.
For more information, read our Guide to LPAs or speak to a member of our team.
There is also the practical prospect of facing long-term care, which is worrying for many people and their families.
We can offer experienced legal advice to ensure you receive the care you need, whilst preserving an estate for inheritance.
We take a long-term, jargon-free approach to estate planning and care fees funding. We’ll clearly explain the financial and legal possibilities for your unique situation and help you structure your estate for the future, including:
Need help? Call us on 01803 403403 for a free, confidential discussion with one of our team or get in touch online.
Christine Shute
Associate Solicitor
Christine is an Associate Solicitor and heads the private client department advising on all aspects of this work but with...
Christine is an Associate Solicitor and heads the private client department advising on all aspects of this work but with a particular interest in elderly client work. Christine is a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly and the Private Client Section of The Law Society. She advises on all aspects of powers of attorney and their consequences and where there is a lack of capacity, assists with applications to the Court of Protection for appointment of deputies for those with no POA. She has many years’ experience of drafting wills including for high net worth individuals where there may be IHT consequences and business and agricultural property, but also for parents of vulnerable children and adults who need to set up trust arrangements, couples with children from previous relationships who may also need trusts and “standard” wills. In addition, she has in-depth experience of acting for Executors and Administrators (on intestacies) and obtaining grants of representation and administering a wide range of estates from modest to multi million pounds in value.
Read moreMartin Roberts
Associate
Martin is an associate member of the firm in our Private Client Department. He is a Fellow of the Chartered...
Martin is an associate member of the firm in our Private Client Department. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP). He has over 30 years’ experience in the administration of estates, the creation and administration of Settlements, preparing and advising upon Wills, Powers of Attorney of all types, applications to the Court of Protection and lifetime tax planning. Out of the office his interests including cycling, motorcycling and trying to keep up with his two teenage children. Martin has dealt with some very large estates over his years in legal practice, including high value estates with complex tax issues as well as those with multiple beneficiaries. He, as are all the members of the Team, is passionate about recognising and challenging cases of elder abuse which is sadly increasingly common and can creep into many aspects of our lives. He prides himself on having had one particular high-profile individual brought to justice for the financial abuse of an elderly client. If you need advice about estate planning, the administration of an estate or Trust, or issues with powers of attorney Martin will be able to help as he will probably have come across it before.
Read moreJanice Courtenay
Chartered Legal Executive
Janice is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She is the most recent member to join the...
Janice is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She is the most recent member to join the private client team, having previously practiced in family work for the past 15 years. She manages her own caseload of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Grant of Representation applications and Estate administration files. Janice has worked in firms in Totnes and Paignton before joining Boyce Hatton in 2011.
Read moreCall us on 01803 403403
We’re here to help with your personal legal issue, however sensitive.