Later Life Estate Planning

12/09/2026

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12/09/2026

Someone dies without a Will. Does that mean the intestacy rules have the final say?

Not necessarily.

Emma Littlewood and I have been working on an estate this week through Later Life Estate Planning that highlighted something many people simply don’t know.

When somebody dies without a Will, the rules of intestacy determine who inherits.

But that doesn’t necessarily have to be the final outcome.

A Deed of Variation can allow someone who inherits – including under the rules of intestacy – to redirect some or all of their inheritance to somebody else.

And, if the relevant conditions are met and it is completed within two years of the death, it can potentially be treated for Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax purposes as though the deceased had made that provision themselves.

The case we’ve been working on involved several property interests, different ownership arrangements, Land Registry titles and the wider Inheritance Tax position.

So the question quickly changed from:

“Who inherits?”

to:

“What does the family actually want to happen – and how do we structure that properly?”

That meant looking at what passed into the estate, what should be redirected to the next generation, how the properties should be owned afterwards, the potential tax implications and making sure the family’s own Wills now reflect what they want to happen next.

It’s a good reminder that estate planning isn’t just about writing a Will.

It’s about understanding what somebody owns, how they own it, who they want to benefit and what happens next.

And sometimes those conversations still need to happen after somebody has died.

www.laterlifeestateplanning.co.uk

07/03/2026

⚠️ 78% of UK adults don’t have this document — yet without it, your family may not be able to help you if something happens.

Earlier this week, Martin Lewis highlighted something many families only discover when it’s too late:

A Lasting Power of Attorney can be more important than a Will.

Here’s why.

• A Will only takes effect after you die
• A Lasting Power of Attorney protects you while you are still alive

If illness, an accident, or conditions such as dementia mean you lose mental capacity, even your spouse or children cannot automatically manage your finances or make decisions for you.

And the statistics are worrying:

📊 78% of UK adults do not have an LPA in place
📊 Over 133,000 LPA applications were rejected last year due to errors
📊 Families lost around £5 million in wasted fees because of incorrect applications

Without an LPA, families may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which can take months and cost thousands.

At Later Life Estate Planning and Later Life Retirement Planning, we help families put the right protections in place properly.

If you’d like guidance or want to get this sorted for peace of mind (from a multi award winning firm) feel free to message us today.

24/02/2026

🟣 What would happen if someone needed to make decisions on your behalf tomorrow?

It’s not something any of us like to think about — but if illness or an accident meant you were unable to make your own decisions, who would step in?

Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, even your closest family members cannot automatically:

❌ Access your bank accounts
❌ Manage your bills
❌ Make decisions about your care
❌ Speak to medical professionals on your behalf
❌ Handle your property or finances

Instead, your loved ones could be forced to apply through the Court of Protection — a process that is often costly, time-consuming, and stressful at an already difficult time.

An LPA allows you to:

✔ Choose someone you trust
✔ Make decisions in advance
✔ Protect your home and finances
✔ Ensure your wishes are followed

At Later Life Estate Planning (LLEP), our LSBA-accredited Estate Planning Specialist, Emma Littlewood, handles everything from start to finish — making the process simple and straightforward.

📩 Message us today for a free, no-obligation chat and take control of tomorrow, today.

20/01/2026

One of the best parts of building a business is the people — and occasionally, their families too.

This morning we had a very special visitor in the office. Emma Littlewood’s (our Head of Estate Planning) little boy joined us for a few hours and was absolutely fascinated by the office motorbike. Safe to say it was the highlight of his visit.

Always nice to see the office through a fresh pair of eyes.

A great start to the day — and possibly our youngest future biker yet. 🏍️

14/01/2026

A great day at the Access Equity Release Conference at the stunning Haycock Manor in Peterborough.

Today, Later Life Estate Planning had the pleasure of presenting and sharing what we do — and, more importantly, why we do it. We’re proud to now be working with Access Equity Release as their Estate Planning Partner for Lasting Powers of Attorney, supporting advisers and their clients at an important stage of later-life planning.

At the heart of what we do is helping people put the right protections in place with clarity, care, and straightforward, fixed pricing — giving clients and their families real peace of mind when it matters most. 🤝

It was fantastic to spend time with advisers discussing how estate planning can sit naturally alongside later-life lending, adding genuine value and helping clients feel informed, supported, and confident in the decisions they’re making.

Thank you to Access Equity Release (and Eadon and Co) for the opportunity, and to everyone who took the time to engage with us today. We’re genuinely excited about what comes next.

20/12/2025

🔷 It’s Time to Protect Your Future and Your Family.🔷

You’ve spent years building a life, creating memories, and supporting your family. But have you thought about the legal protections you need if the unexpected happens?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) isn’t just for the elderly or those with health issues—it’s for anyone who wants to ensure their wishes are respected if they’re no longer able to make decisions for themselves.

Whether it’s due to an illness, an accident, or conditions like dementia, an LPA ensures someone you trust can step in without legal delays or needing to go through the courts.

Here’s the key point many people overlook:

❌ Without an LPA, if you lose mental capacity, your family can’t automatically make decisions on your behalf.

✅ With an LPA in place, your loved ones can step in right away—saving time, reducing stress, and avoiding costly legal battles.

💬 We help those over 50 set up LPAs in a simple, clear, and affordable way—no complicated legal language, no high-pressure tactics—just straightforward advice and peace of mind.

📞 DM us for a free, no-obligation consultation, or simply comment “LPA” below and we’ll reach out.

📧 [email protected]
📱 Tel: 07852340639

Taking care of this now means peace of mind for you and your family—today and in the future. Your future self will thank you.

18/12/2025

You protect your car with insurance 🚗
You protect your home with house insurance 🏠
You may even protect your phone 📱

But have you protected yourself, your family, and your wishes?

A Lasting Power of Attorney ensures the people you trust can step in and help if you ever need them to.

Unlike insurance policies, an LPA doesn’t need renewing every year.
There are no ongoing premiums — just a one-off fee to put it in place, properly.

If you’ve never had the conversation, now is the right time.

We’re always happy to talk.

18/12/2025

18/12/2025

Later Life Estate Planning was created to bring clarity, care, and proper guidance to one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make — arranging a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Founded by Sam Wickham, a Diploma-qualified Independent Financial Adviser with nearly 20 years’ experience, and supported by Emma Littlewood, Head of Estate Planning and an accredited Estate Planning & Trust Specialist with over 12 years in financial services, our focus is simple:
💙 Helping you protect your wishes and the people you love

Many people don’t realise that you do not have to use a solicitor to arrange a Lasting Power of Attorney. While solicitors can be helpful, their fees are often high, and the process can feel overly complex or rushed.

Our role is to make estate planning accessible and affordable, without compromising on care or quality. In most cases, our service is around half the cost of a solicitor, with clear pricing and full support from start to finish 💼✨

Estate planning shouldn’t feel rushed or confusing.

It should feel reassuring, supportive, and done properly.

📩 Drop us an email, send us a Facebook message, or give us a call if you’d like to know more — we’re always happy to help.

📧[email protected]
📧[email protected]
📞07852 340639