Who am I?
I am Pamela Howe - an ex-teacher of many years, and the mother of three children. Having been a single parent for fifteen years, I'm acutely aware of the importance of protecting both the finances and the welfare of the children in any relationship which is what prompted me to dealing with Wills and Testaments, Trusts and Business Wills.
Why do I help people set their estates in order?
My satisfaction comes from helping people find peace of mind, by sorting out their Will and ensuring their loved ones benefit . It's extremely rewarding to know that in the event of their death, the Wills and Trust they have made will protect their families who won't have to deal with a muddle over finances or property.
What if...?
...I want to protect my assets for my children, but still have access to them during my lifetime?
One of my clients wanted to do just this, so we worked together to create a Will with a family probate trust alongside it. A family probate trust allows the settlor to be a beneficiary, so this type of trust can't be used to reduce future inheritance tax, but it does make probate cheaper and simpler and protects assets from being assessed if the settlor has to enter long term care.
What if...?
...I have a Will, but it was written a number of years ago?
Legislation changes, circumstances change - and it's possible that your Will no longer safeguards your original intentions and wishes. One such client was convinced that her Will (drawn up ten years' ago) would still serve her purposes. Unfortunately, she was recently in need of long term care and already her home is up for sale to pay for it.
I will take all your considerations into account when advising on making a Will. Inheritance Tax is an important concern, but just one of many.
How can making a Will help me and my family?
A Will is a written statement of your wishes, and it can help in so many situations. It puts in place the people YOU select to care for your children instead of the Court of Protection deciding.
It is often thought that a Will merely protects your family after your death, but that isn't always the case. This is where the Trusts come in to protect the benefits you want to hand on. A Will can also help you during your lifetime, protecting assets whilst still allowing you to benefit from them.
And it can even act as the equivalent of a pre-nuptial agreement! For example, suppose you're divorced and you want your children to be the main beneficiaries of your estate. A Will sets out your wishes, so that even if you do re-marry, your children will still benefit after your death, avoiding what could be a potentially awkward situation.
Or you may have lost your partner, but want to protect your children and grandchildren. Putting money and property into trust can protect generations of your family to come.
And of course, as circumstances change, so can your wishes. Your Will can be added to, changed and re-drafted as many times as you need it to be, but it should always protect the people you love the most.
I deal with all my clients in a personal, approachable and sensitive way. It's not always easy to talk about life after your death, but it's something we all have to face and it is important that these issues are resolved during your lifetime.
"Never before have I encountered professionalism combined with such a friendly, approachable manner. Pamela mixes the two with care and sensitivity".
A local client and ex-pupil.
Read real life case studies and client testimonials.
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