fbpx
HCR Law Events

4 June 2021

Supporting Cerebral Palsy Cymru with expertise

 

We have combined our strengths this month in aid of Cerebral Palsy Cymru, by supporting their will writing scheme and providing advice on how other legal needs can be met too.

Nerys Thomas from the firm’s wills, trusts and estates team, explained in the charity’s newsletter why planning ahead is so important – she and David King of our wills, trusts and estates team will be waiving their fees to make simple wills for people who want to support the charity with donations instead.

The minimum donation is £140 (plus VAT) for a simple single will (normally £280 plus VAT) and a minimum donation of £225 (plus VAT) for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ wills (normally £450 plus VAT).

This is an opportunity to make a will and at the same time make a difference to children and families in Wales living with cerebral palsy.

Making a will

Nerys said: “We are delighted to be supporting Cerebral Palsy Cymru with the June will offer.

Making a will is one of the most important things that you can do to ensure that your loved ones are provided for when you die. If you pass away without leaving a valid will, your estate will be distributed in line with strict legal rules known as the intestacy rules.

These determine how your estate will be divided amongst your relatives and may not always provide for the loved ones who you would have wanted to benefit. For example, the intestacy rules do not recognise unmarried couples or civil partners – nor do they provide for stepchildren.

So, a will allows you to control who receives what when you die and gives peace of mind to those nearest to you that they have been properly provided for. This may be particularly important where you might have young children, if you wish to provide for individuals with complex needs and if your estate might need to be protected for them in the longer term.

Dealing with an estate where there is a will is usually far more straightforward, cheaper and less stressful than an estate where there is none. In the absence of a will, families are often left wondering, immediately after losing their loved one, who will be responsible for dealing with the estate and how that estate will be distributed. A will removes that uncertainty and lets families know exactly where they stand from the outset.”

Help and support when you need it most

Also helping the charity is Ally Taft from sister firm Medical Accident Group, who is offering advice on how they can help those with CP, their families and carers.

She said: “We’re often asked to advise parents on education, health and care plans, a legal document that describes the special educational, health and social care needs of a child or young person and explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs. We can help to appeal a decision by the local authority not to put one in place or challenge the contents of an existing plan.

We can also represent families where severe injury during birth has caused cerebral palsy. For instance, I was instructed to act for Sam, whose cerebral palsy resulted from an error during heart surgery.

Sam is now a teenager, is in full-time education and is academically very successful; his parents now feel secure that he now has a high quality of care, equipment and accommodation and financial security for life.”

Share this article on social media

About the Author
David King, Partner (TEP)

view my profile email me

Want news direct to you?

sign up


Got a question?

Send us an email

x
Newsletter HCR featured image

Stay up to date

with our recent news

x
LOADING