Our Estate Planning team advise on wills, probate and estate administration, lasting powers of attorney and inheritance tax planning.
In our next interview with the team, we meet Paralegal Freya Turvey.
Name: Freya Turvey
Job title: Paralegal
What’s your role in the Estate Planning team, and what does a typical day look like for you?
I am a Paralegal in the team and my work ranges from supporting others in the team to managing my own files and drafting wills and LPAs.
How did you get into this area of law?
I started at the firm as a Business Administration Apprentice in the Estate Planning team and quickly realised it was the right department for me. I really enjoy being able to help people through what’s often a tough time in their lives, whether that’s dealing with a bereavement or just trying to get their affairs in order for the future.
If you weren’t working in law, what would you be doing?
I think I would still be in role that allowed me to help solve problems for people. I could see myself going into counselling/therapy as there is a lot of crossover with the work we do in Estate Planning.
What’s one piece of advice you often give clients?
I try and advise people to view the process in a positive light, rather than something to avoid/put off. Getting things in place early can actually be a relief, and helps to ensure their wishes are followed when they die, or if they were to lose capacity.
How do you ensure your advice remains clear and accessible, especially for elderly or vulnerable clients?
I try and give advice to clients without excessive use of legal jargon. I always try to make them feel at ease, giving them the opportunity to ask me any questions if they are unsure of anything. We also offer home visits if a client in the local area is unable to attend the office, to make the appointments as accessible as possible.
What’s one common challenge clients face when preparing a will, and how do you help them overcome it?
People often struggle with deciding how to divide their estate, especially in blended families or where relationships are complex e.g. family disputes. I help by highlighting practical and legal considerations and working through the options until they feel confident in their decisions. There may be provisions we can include in the will that may not have been considered and may help to better distribute their estates, such as Trusts.
What’s one misconception people often have about wills or probate?
Many people are surprised to learn there’s no formal “reading of the will” when someone dies. It’s something often seen in films, but not how things work in practice. Instead, the executors named in the will are responsible for managing the estate, and they’ll share the relevant information with beneficiaries as needed. The executors are welcome to instruct a firm of solicitors to help them deal with obtaining a Grant of Probate (if needed) and interpreting the will so that the estate is distributed to the beneficiaries correctly.
What’s the most common myth about Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)?
One misconception in relation to Lasting Powers of Attorney is that they should be made once the donor has lost capacity. We receive many enquiries from people who have family members that have already lost mental capacity, and they have been told by medical professionals to arrange LPAs. At this point it is too late to make LPAs as they must be drafted whilst the donor has the relevant capacity. Therefore, it is very important to get these in place sooner rather than later. I would always advise clients that it is better to have them in place and never have to use them, to avoid their loved ones being left with the stress of sorting their affairs and potentially not be authorised to help i.e. if they are not named as their attorneys.
If you could change one thing about how people approach Estate Planning, what would it be?
The fact that people put off sorting their affairs until they are older. It is important to sort out your wills at a young age especially if you own property and/or have children. The same goes for Lasting Powers of Attorney, as accidents and illness can happen at any age. If wills and LPAs are in place this reduces stress for your loved ones and gives you more control to appoint someone to be your executor and/or attorney who may not otherwise have the authority to help with your affairs.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work in Estate Planning?
Being able to see you have made someone’s life a little bit easier. Lots of people put off sorting their wills and LPAs but, once they are done, the clients often feel a sense of relief that their wishes are in order. It’s rewarding to be able to make the process as stress-free as possible.
Contact our Estate Planning team for personalised and empathetic advice on your matter. Ask about our Will and LPA packages.