Meetings
We understand that booking a meeting to discuss estate planning can feel daunting. Our aim is to make the process as personable, clear, and flexible as possible.

Meetings are available on weekdays, during the daytime or evening. We offer a FREE initial meeting, which can take place at our office, via video call (Zoom), or by telephone. This meeting allows us to discuss your requirements and outline our standard recommendations.

Chargeable home visit meetings are also available (within 40 miles of our Chichester office, excluding the Isle of Wight; restrictions apply).

We generally recommend two meetings (see below). However, for very straightforward instructions, some clients may choose to proceed with instructions at the first meeting.

Our Meeting Process

1st Meeting (Free, unless Home Visit)
The purpose of the first meeting is to understand your current situation and your estate planning requirements.
During this meeting, we will:

• Ask about your expectations of the meeting and your requirements

• Discuss our Terms of Business, Services, Prices, Promotional Offers and optional Storage/Update Services

• Complete a basic questionnaire and review estate value/asset ownership

• Discuss your 'thoughts on your intended' Will/Trust/Power of Attorney instruction. This part is beneficial to you, as at this stage you have not given any formal instruction, so we can explore the possible consequences/risks before you then give any formal instruction (see typical questions below)  

• Explain what happens next

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Typical areas discussed at this 1st meeting:

Are you concerned about any of the following risks/threats?                                        

• If a Couple: Losing one’s wealth by the Remarriage/Divorce/Bankruptcy of the surviving spouse or partner                             

(Remember a Will is revoked if the surviving spouse/partner remarries or enters a civil partnership)

• Losing one’s home and/or savings to Care Home fees                       

• Losing one’s wealth to a future Divorce/Bankruptcy claim against your children or chosen other beneficiaries

• The wealth left creating or increasing Generational Inheritance Tax (IHT)               

• Protecting someone presently occupying your property                

• Protecting a ‘vulnerable’ person (disabled, special needs, drink, drugs, gambling, spender etc)    

• Protecting inheritance for a person whom may be in receipt of state benefits    

• A potential stranger managing your financial affairs if you lose capacity               

• A potential stranger managing your health & welfare if you lose capacity                       

• Your Will/Power of Attorney documents being lost, damaged or stolen                               

• The ongoing costs of keeping your Will/Power of Attorney documents up to date 

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What to prepare for the first meeting
As we complete a questionnaire, please have the following information available:

For Will

• Correct names, address and spellings of beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and (if applicable) guardians

• Details of any life insurance policies, funeral plans and savings/investments

• Information on how assets are owned (e.g. jointly, tenants in common, or individually)

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For Lasting Powers of Attorney:

• Correct names, address and titles (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss) for each named attorney and dates of birth

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Understanding both the value and ownership of assets is important, as it allows us to explain what would happen to them in the event of death or loss of capacity — the outcome may surprise you.

To save time at an in-office meeting, you may find it helpful to bring a written list of the above information. This allows more time to focus on estate planning rather than completing paperwork.

 

                     

After the first meeting
Provided all relevant information has been supplied and you have booked an additional meeting (if applicable), we will send you our standard recommendations and asset protection strategies, covering risks such as:

•    Care costs
•    Marriage after death (MAD)
•    Creditors and bankruptcy
•    Inheritance Tax (IHT)
•    Divorce and separation
•    Business succession
•    Generational IHT planning
•    Powers of Attorney

Key Features and Benefits sheets will also be provided. This information is supplied free of charge. Alternatively, if you would prefer a more detailed and personalised recommendation report, this can be arranged via our Client Portal. This is a chargeable service (see item 7.1 on the Services Price List).

2nd Meeting (Chargeable but waived if instruction provided at meeting)
The second meeting is used to discuss our recommendations in more detail and for you to provide or confirm your instructions.

At this meeting, you may:
•    Accept our recommendations in full or in part, and proceed with implementation, or
•    Provide your own instructions for the work you wish us to carry out
This meeting is chargeable (see section 6 of the Services Price List). However, if you proceed with a paid order at this meeting, the meeting fee is waived (excluding home visits).

Our Approach

Our open and transparent approach gives you the time and information needed to make a fully informed decision before giving any instructions.

Additional chargeable meetings can be arranged if you require more time or wish to explore any technical aspects of our recommendations in greater detail.

You may notice that our approach differs from many legal firms, who may offer only one meeting to take instructions — often at significant cost and with little or no guidance.

 

We believe informed clients make better decisions.