Legal Services

Writing a Will is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. Age UK Legal Services believe it is important to consult a solicitor when you write your Will to make sure it accurately records your wishes.

If you don’t have a valid Will when you die, your estate becomes ‘intestate’. This means the law decides how your estate will be distributed.

Age UK Legal Services can help you:

• Write a Will that is recognised by law
• Update a Will – check your Will regularly, and If your personal circumstances have changed, you should write a new Will to reflect your changed situation.
• Change a Will with small amendments known as a ‘codicil’

Four quick and simple steps to your Will:

1. Call 0845 685 1076 to request your Will writing pack.
2. Complete the questionnaire and return it with your payment to Irwin Mitchell.
3. Irwin Mitchell will prepare a draft of your Will for you to approve. They will contact you if necessary to make sure they understand your wishes.
4. Once approved. Irwin Mitchell will send you your Will for signing. If changes are required to the Will sent, then Irwin Mitchell will send you a revised Will.

Wills and estates disputes

Age UK Legal Services can offer advice on a wide range of disputes or problems arising from a Will or estate.

Age UK Legal Services also offers a number of other Will-related services:

Asset-protection Wills

The provision of care and the cost of paying for it, is a growing concern for many people. Sometimes property may have to be used to pay for care.
Age UK Legal Services can offer advice, and may be able to help to try and preserve some of the value of your house for future generations through Will planning.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

An LPA (Property and Affairs) and an LPA (Health and Welfare) are two legal documents that allow you to appoint people you trust to make decisions about your finances and your health and personal welfare on your behalf, in the event that you are no longer mentally or physically capable and unable to make decisions for yourself.

Age UK Legal Services can advise and draft an LPA for you and deal with the registration at the Office of the Public Guardian, so that it can be used in the event of your incapacity.

Lasting Powers of Attorney are only valid in England and Wales. Separate arrangements in relation to the appointment of an Attorney exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Irwin Mitchell can help with appointing an Attorney in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Probate and estate administration

Probate takes place following a person's death. It involves a court procedure and the completion of an HMRC return on the value of the estate. Any Inheritance Tax is paid at the same time as probate is applied for. Estate administration involves identifying, securing and collecting the assets of the deceased and distributing them to those who are entitled.

Age UK Legal Services can help you through all the stages of Probate:

• Getting a Grant of Representation from the Probate court
• Administering a deceased estate
• Sale of property
• Payment of inheritance tax
• Release of funds due to the beneficiaries of the estate
• Asset protection and tax planning

Age UK Legal Services can guide you through the legal steps you need to take when moving home or managing your capital, from conveyancing and remortgaging to Equity Release.

Whatever your conveyancing needs, whether you are selling or buying a home, or remortgaging your existing property, Age UK Legal Services can help. The legal costs will be made clear and you will be provided with a key contact who will guide you through the transaction.

Our advice covers:

• Buying a home
• Selling your property
• Remortgaging your property
• Equity Release

Buying a home

Whether you are relocating or downsizing, buying a home is a big commitment. Age UK Legal Service's experienced professionals can offer you a thorough conveyancy service together with some practical advice.

Selling your property

Once you have a buyer for your property, the entire legal process will be managed for you and you will be informed of the necessary and recommended steps at every stage - right up to completion.

Remortgaging your property

Age UK Legal Services are able to provide you with the full legal support you need during a remortgage or any other changes to the financing of your home.

Equity Release

Equity Release isn't suitable for everyone so before taking out equity release you should take financial advice and find the right product for your circumstance. Once you have decided to proceed with an equity release plan, it is important that you instruct an experienced solicitor. Our experienced legal advisers will provide you with important advice on the legal consequences of entering into your chosen plan and provide a transparent fixed fee quote.

If you need advice from a lawyer concerning a relationship matter, power of attorney or probate, you will be able to speak to our dedicated team at Irwin Mitchell. They can help you to make plans for the future or to resolve a legal matter amicably.

Age UK Legal Services cover:

Family and relationships

• Relationships – resolving issues with a previous partner, your children, or considering your legal position in a new relationship
• Civil partnerships and same sex relationships – formalising a commitment, or simply protecting your rights
• Sharing a home – protecting your arrangements and rights, when living with people other than your marital partner
• Grandchild access – supporting your right to play an important part in your grandchild’s life.

Asset protection and tax planning

If you are planning to protect your assets through Wills and Trusts, to minimise the payment of inheritance tax or future care fees, Age UK Legal Services can give you advice.

An LPA (Property and Affairs) and an LPA (Health and Welfare) are legal documents that allow you to appoint people you trust to make decisions about your finances and your health and personal welfare on your behalf, in the event that you are no longer mentally or physically capable and unable to make decisions for yourself.

Age UK Legal Services can advise and draft the Lasting Power of Attorney for you and register it at the Office of the Public Guardian, so that it can be activated in the future if necessary.

Advice on applications to the Office of the Public Guardian

If someone close to you loses mental capacity and there is no Lasting Power of Attorney in place, Age UK Legal Services can advise on the appointment of a suitable Deputy. They can also advise on the application needed to the Office of the Public Guardian.

Lasting Powers of Attorney are only valid in England and Wales. Separate arrangements in relation to the appointment of an Attorney exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Irwin Mitchell can help with appointing an Attorney in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Sometimes accidents can cause injury, ongoing discomfort or disability. You may be able to claim compensation depending on the circumstances of the accident and your injuries.

Age UK Legal Services can help you identify if you have grounds for a claim, and offer advice on subjects including:

• Medical law and patients’ rights – if you have experienced treatment which has had a negative impact on your health
• Work related injuries or illnesses – if you have a work related illness or an injury, contact Age UK Legal Services for a thorough assessment of your rights.
• Asbestos – legal provisions for people suffering from conditions directly related to asbestos

Rights at work

You may have experienced discrimination and other unfair treatment in the workplace. Talk to someone you can trust at Age UK Legal Services to find out if your rights have been respected on areas such as:

• Pension and pay– safeguarding your livelihood and your right to live comfortably during retirement
• Unfair dismissal and redundancy – advice on your position if you feel your dismissal or redundancy may be unfair
• Discrimination based on age – we can help you decide if you have been a victim, and set out your options
• Discrimination based on disability – legislation now protects people with health issues like cancer and diabetes in the workplace

You may have questions that you want to ask about our services. Here are the answers to some questions people often ask.

Q. I can’t afford a solicitor, they are so expensive aren’t they?
Q. What do I do if I am unhappy with the advice I receive?
Q. What happens if I am eligible for Legal Aid?
Q. I find the idea of talking to a solicitor or going to Court intimidating.
Q. Does Age UK Legal Services offer other types of legal advice?
Q. How do I know I can trust Irwin Mitchell?
Q. What are the arrangements between Irwin Mitchell and Age UK Enterprises?

Q. I can’t afford a solicitor, they are so expensive aren’t they?

A. Irwin Mitchell offers competitive rates and will give you a clear estimate of prices up front before you make a decision.

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Q. What do I do if I am unhappy with the advice I receive?

A. Please call the number on the brochure or any letter you have from Irwin Mitchell or Age UK Legal Services. Explain why you are unhappy. If your complaint is valid, it will be put right. If you wish to talk to Age UK Enterprises direct, call our Customer Relations Team on 01364 651 566.

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Q. What happens if I am eligible for Legal Aid?

A. Irwin Mitchell can assess whether your case would be covered and where we hold the appropriate Legal Aid Franchise, we may be able to help you. If the service is not covered and you do qualify for legal aid, we will refer you to the Law Society, which can direct you to an appropriate legal firm to assist you.

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Q. I find the idea of talking to a solicitor or going to Court intimidating.

A. We understand that, and we have chosen to work with Irwin Mitchell because of their reputation for clear and friendly advice. Talking to a solicitor does not mean that you will have to go to court. There are lots of other options like mediations to resolve legal problems.

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Q. Does Age UK Legal Services offer other types of legal advice?

A. Yes. Irwin Mitchell’s professionals have a wide range of specialist expertise in different areas of the law. If you would like advice on a topic not covered in this website or our brochure, then please call us.

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Q. How do I know I can trust Irwin Mitchell?

A. Age UK Legal Services have chosen to work with Irwin Mitchell because they are a leading law firm with recommendations in several professional legal directories.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC343897 and is regulated by both by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Law Society of Scotland. All solicitors are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct. In England and Wales, this is provided and maintained by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the legal professions regulatory body. In Scotland, this Code of Conduct is provided and maintained by the Law Society of Scotland. If you would like to know more about Irwin Mitchell’s obligations under these Codes of Conduct, please visit the Solicitors Regulation Authority website or the Law Society website (see 'Useful websites').

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Q. What are the arrangements between Irwin Mitchell and Age UK Enterprises?

A. Under the Code of Conduct for England and Wales, we are required to disclose the details of any arrangements between Irwin Mitchell and Age UK Enterprises Ltd. This information is below:

Age UK Enterprises Ltd has a financial arrangement with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors where we will introduce clients to them. Any profits we make from selling these products and services go directly to support Age UK’s charitable activities. This financial arrangement only applies to England and Wales.

Employment and conveyancing services: They pay us £50 + VAT for each referred case that they accept.
Family law services: They pay us 10% of the final fee they charge + VAT for each referred case that they accept.
Will writing services: They pay us a variable fee depending upon the products selected and further details are provided in the Will writing instruction form.

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