ELM Legal Services Cornwall

24/08/2026

If you lose capacity with no LPAs in place, your loved ones need to apply for Deputyship, but what’s the difference?

No control, expensive fees and lots of stress.

No one wants this, so why subject your loved ones to it? Deputyship is a complicated and time-consuming alternative to just taking out LPAs earlier.

21/08/2026

Well, we've only gone and done it again! ELM Legal Services has been named a finalist in the 2026 British Wills & Probate Awards for Boutique Estate Planning Firm of the Year.

We reached the finals in 2024 and were lucky enough to win in 2025. Something we are exceptionally proud of. Winning made us want to work even harder to keep improving, so being back in the finals again is brilliant.

A huge thank you to our fantastic team, our trusted partners, and the client families who continue to place their trust in us. None of this happens without you.

Fingers crossed for awards night! 🤞

11/08/2026

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Are you planning to leave a gift in your Will to anyone under 18? We'll help you get it right 👍

29/06/2026

How sideways disinheritance happens ⚠️👇

A typical example starts when a parent remarries and buys a property as joint tenants. When one spouse passes away, their share of the property automatically passes to the surviving spouse outside of the Will.

At that point, what happens next is entirely in the hands of the surviving spouse.

They may:
👉Remarry
👉Change their Will
👉Pass away without a Will
👉Need long-term care and use assets to fund care costs

In some cases, this can result in children from the first relationship receiving little or even nothing from the estate.

However, with the right estate planning in place, these risks can often be reduced or avoided altogether.

If you have a blended family, have remarried, or want to make sure your children ultimately inherit what you intend - it's worth taking advice before it's too late.

24/06/2026

“A Flexible Life Interest Trust (FLIT) is only for wealthy families”

❌Not necessarily ❌

A Flexible Life Interest Trust can be useful whenever someone wants to balance support for their partner with protection for children or other beneficiaries.

Another common misunderstanding is that a FLIT guarantees protection in every situation.

In reality, a trust only works as well as:
✅ The drafting of the Will
✅ The trustees appointed
✅ The guidance left behind

Many people also assume the surviving partner can do whatever they like with the trust assets. Usually, that is not the case.

The assets are held by trustees, who must act in line with the terms of the trust and their legal duties.

For many families, a Flexible Life Interest Trust is less about tax and more about balancing:

✅ Financial support
✅ Protection
✅ Long-term control

If you’re thinking about Estate Planning, we offer a free initial meeting to help you understand whether a Flexible Life Interest Trust is right for your family.

Reach out to find out more 📩

23/06/2026

✨A few general suggestions to keep cool✨
If concerned about heatstroke/heat exhaustion check out www.nhs.uk.
www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/.

20/06/2026

What’s the difference between a standard Life Interest Trust and a Flexible Life Interest Trust?

Swipe to find out the key differences and why flexibility can matter in estate planning 👉

16/06/2026

One of the most important estate planning decisions is often made when you buy your home 🔑👀

The way you own your property can have a major impact on what happens to it when one of you passes away.

🏠 Joint Tenants
Your home automatically passes to the surviving owner, regardless of what your Will says.

🏠 Tenants in Common
You each own a defined share, meaning your share can pass according to your Will.

Neither option is right or wrong, but they achieve very different outcomes.

For blended families, second marriages, unmarried couples, or anyone wanting more control over who inherits their share of the property, the distinction can be especially important.

If you're not sure how your property is owned, it's worth finding out. It could make a significant difference to your estate planning 📝