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We can help your friends and family too!

Ensuring Your Legacy: The Power of Referrals and Family Bonds in Estate Planning In the realm of estate planning, where the delicate balance of legal intricacies and personal wishes converge, SLS Wills and More has carved a remarkable niche. Operating with the finesse of a bespoke tailor, we understand that beyond the paperwork, estate planning is about safeguarding your legacy and providing peace of mind to your loved ones. A significant portion of our clientele comes through referrals, a testament to the trust and satisfaction our clients place in our services. Referrals: The Foundation of Trust Referrals are the cornerstone of SLS Wills and More’s success story. In an age where reviews and recommendations can make or break a business, the fact that our clients are keen to refer friends and family to us speaks volumes about the quality of service we provide. A referral is more than just a transaction; it’s a vote of confidence, a personal endorsement that underscores our commitment to excellence. Knowing that our clients entrust their loved ones’ futures to us drives us to continually raise the bar. Extending the Circle: Writing Wills for Friends and Family It’s heartening to note that a significant part of our practice revolves around writing wills for the friends and family of our clients. This speaks to the deep-rooted relationships we build with our clients, relationships founded on trust and a shared understanding of the importance of securing one’s legacy. As the legal guardians of your testamentary wishes, we understand the gravity of the responsibility we undertake. Whether it’s crafting a will for a close friend or a cherished family member, our commitment remains unwavering. Why Make a Will? The importance of making a will cannot be overstated. A will isn’t just a legal document; it’s a means to express your wishes and provide clear directions for the distribution of your assets. It ensures that your loved ones are not left grappling with uncertainties during a time of grief. A will allows you to: 1. Protect Loved Ones: A well-constructed will provides for your family’s financial security, ensuring that they’re taken care of according to your wishes. 2. Avoid Legal Hassles: A properly drafted will can help minimize legal disputes and conflicts among family members. 3. Direct Assets: With a will, you have the power to decide who inherits your assets, ensuring that your possessions are distributed in line with your intentions. Booking Your Estate Planning Conversation At SLS Wills and More, we understand that discussing matters of inheritance and legacy can be emotionally charged. That’s why we’ve created a welcoming environment where you can openly discuss your estate planning needs. To book a consultation with us, you can reach out through our website or give us a call. While there might be a short waiting list to speak with our esteemed consultant, Sara, rest assured that we have a dedicated team of consultants who share the same “client first” ethos, ready to guide you through the process. Your Assurance: SWW Insurance We take your peace of mind seriously. All clients of SLS Wills and More are covered under the SWW insurance that we hold. This added layer of protection ensures that your wishes will be honoured, and your loved ones will receive the support they deserve, even in unforeseen circumstances. In conclusion, at SLS Wills and More, we stand as both architects of legacies and stewards of trust. The referrals we receive and the bonds we foster with clients and their families are testament to the integrity and quality of service that define us. As you embark on your estate planning journey, we’re here to guide you, to listen to your unique story, and to help you craft a future that resonates with your values and aspirations.

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Changes to Statutory Gifts

There have been some significant changes to statutory gifts and in this short article, we’re going to explain then, and what they mean to you and your estate planning. On July 26th, a significant change in statutory legacy gifts took effect, increasing the amount from £270,000 to £322,000. A statutory legacy gift refers to the portion of an individual’s estate that is legally protected and reserved for their close family members, usually their spouse or civil partner, and is effective where an intestacy occurs. This simply means when someone dies without a Will. The increase from £270,000 to £322,000 means that now, if an individual passes away without leaving a Will, a larger sum of their estate will automatically be granted to their surviving spouse or civil partner. This change aims to provide greater financial protection and security for widowed partners, ensuring they receive a more substantial portion of their deceased loved one’s estate. By raising the statutory legacy gift amount, the government seeks to reflect the changing economic landscape and the increasing costs of living, enabling surviving partners to maintain a higher standard of living and potentially easing financial burdens during a difficult time. This adjustment in statutory legacy gifts is likely to have implications for inheritance distributions and legal considerations in cases of intestacy, offering more significant benefits to surviving spouses or civil partners in the event of their partner’s death without a valid Will. If this doesn’t reflect your wishes, we advise that you book in an appointment to discuss your estate planning with us. We’ll talk to you about what could stand in the way of your wishes being carried out and explain how a Will could provide greater flexibility as to how your estate can be distributed helping you to remain in control. This is the new intestacy flowchart reflecting these changes and demonstrating what could happen should you pass away without a Will. Should you have any questions, please let us know:

Aquaman
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Estate Planning Lessons from Aquaman: Navigating the Depths of Inheritance and Legacy

In Aquaman, we watch Arthur Curry’s journey as he grapples with his dual heritage—one foot on the shore as the son of a human lighthouse keeper, and the other deep beneath the waves as heir to the throne of Atlantis. Filled with underwater kingdoms, shifting allegiances, and power struggles, this DC Comics tale might seem an unlikely lens through which to view estate planning. Yet, if we translate these oceanic intrigues into a scenario under the laws of England and Wales, the story reveals timeless lessons about safeguarding one’s legacy. The Rightful Heir and Clear Instructions At the heart of Aquaman is the question of rightful succession. Arthur Curry, as the son of Atlanna (the Queen of Atlantis) and Thomas Curry (a human), possesses a claim to the Atlantean throne. However, without clear, legally binding directives, determining succession becomes an undersea tug-of-war. This echoes a common dilemma on land: if a parent passes away without a valid will, the question of inheritance can become murky, triggering disputes and, at worst, estranged family members battling over control. In England and Wales, a proper will sets out who should inherit and how. Had Atlanna left a well-drafted estate plan—detailing not just who would be her heir, but also providing for any mixed-heritage complexities—Arthur might have avoided confrontation with Orm, his half-brother, and spared Atlantis unnecessary conflict. Transparent directives in a will ensure that your loved ones know your wishes, minimising squabbles and safeguarding familial harmony, both on land and at sea. Appointing Executors and Trustees: Guardians of Your Estate In the Atlantean world, trusted advisors and loyal counsel are essential to maintaining peace and order. In your own estate plan, the equivalent of these advisers are the executors and trustees. Executors carry out the instructions of your will, ensuring that assets are distributed as intended. Trustees look after any trusts you create, managing assets on behalf of beneficiaries—much like a noble steward carefully overseeing the kingdom’s resources. With executors and trustees in place, even if the waters of life grow choppy, your estate remains on course. Should your family members become divided or uncertain, these appointed guardians can maintain stability, just as stalwart Atlantean allies help preserve Atlantis in times of turmoil. Safeguarding Children and Mixed-Heritage Families Arthur Curry is half-human, half-Atlantean—a dual identity that poses unique challenges. In England and Wales, cross-border estates or families with international ties often require additional estate planning measures. If you own assets abroad or hold citizenships in more than one country, you may need advice on creating wills that comply with multiple jurisdictions, preventing future misunderstandings or conflicts. What if Arthur, as a child, had been left without guidance or guardianship provisions in his parents’ estate plan? His upbringing and claim to Atlantis might have been far more uncertain. By naming guardians, or setting up trusts to protect assets for younger beneficiaries until they come of age, parents can ensure the welfare and stability of their children, no matter the complexity of their heritage or inheritance. Plan for the Unexpected: LPAs and Contingency Measures Atlanna’s sudden disappearance and the resulting power vacuum in Atlantis highlight the unpredictability of life’s currents. In the real world, if an accident or illness leaves you unable to make decisions, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can ensure that a trusted individual steps in to manage your finances or make healthcare decisions on your behalf. This level of preparedness not only prevents chaos but also reassures family members that someone reliable is at the helm. While Atlantean royalty have their own ways of dealing with crises, on land, drafting LPAs ensures that should unforeseen circumstances arise, your finances and personal welfare remain under responsible stewardship. A Legacy That Endures In Aquaman, Arthur’s ultimate quest is not just to claim the throne, but to bring unity, understanding, and peace between two worlds. This resonates strongly with estate planning’s core purpose: ensuring your legacy endures in a way that reflects your values, cares for the people you love, and prevents unnecessary conflict. A well-structured estate plan provides the opportunity to pass on your values—whether that’s encouraging education through a trust for a grandchild’s school fees, ensuring a family home remains in trusted hands, or supporting charities that matter to you. By taking proactive steps now, you’re ensuring that your legacy, like Atlantis’s hidden treasures, is protected and carefully guided into future generations. How SLS Wills and More Can Help At SLS Wills and More, we understand that creating an estate plan can feel as complex as navigating uncharted oceans. Our team can help you draft a will, establish trusts, appoint guardians and executors, and put LPAs in place. Together, these measures form a secure harbour against the storms of uncertainty and inheritance disputes. Ready to ensure your legacy is as enduring as Atlantis itself? Contact us today, and let us guide you through every stage of the estate planning process, safeguarding your family’s future with the same resolve and clarity that leads Aquaman to unite and protect the worlds he cherishes.

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