Not just any lawyer can be come an SFE member. To qualify, lawyers must have spent a substantial amount of their time working for elderly clients.  They must also fulfil other criteria, set by SFE before they are accepted into membership.

SFE members have experience of, and specialize in a wide range of legal issues particularly affecting older people.  They have the knowledge that allows them to discount the myths associated with ageing and elderly people.  Their speciallist knowledge enables them empathise with and to take account of the difficulties and disabilities, both physical and mental which can accompany the ageing process.  As such, they are more aware of the social and health problems which can arise as people age.

So, if you are an older person, or are responsible for the care of an elderly person, and are in need of legal advice, be sure to use an SFE accredited solicitor for that advice. Be sure also to check that the lawyer you have chosen, specialises in the area that concerns you.

Why not call Ella Millett, Sheltons’ accredited SFE Solicitor now?

 0115 955 3444 - Peace of mind and the right advice.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) recently approved a new Code of Practice drawn up by the Institute of Professional Will writers (IPW).  However, Helen Clark, chair of the Law Society Wills and Equity Committee, said that although she applauded all attempts to improve standards and protect the public, a code of conduct is only as good as its enforceability, and indicated that this code lacks serious sanctions.

A member of IPW who is expelled for misconduct can just carry on writing wills regardless of having been expelled.  Furthermore, if the will writing company were to go bankrupt, there would be no safety net for its clients.  On the other hand if a Law firm folds, the Law Society intervenes and the clients’ interests are safe guarded.

Patricia Wass, chair of the Law Society Probate section, said that the public did not always recognise the difference between a trained and qualified solicitor and a will writer.  The expertise to deal with tax planning, assets held overseas, older people cohabiting, all of which are part of the complexity of modern life, can’t be gained on a short course of training of the kind provided to will writers.

The consumer needs to be protected, and to know that any person writing their will, is adequately trained, insured, protected against dishonesty, and has a complaint and disciplinary mechanism in place, with remedies available when needed.

These are all key elements that form part of the Solicitors’ regulatory model.  Solicitors have the training, knowledge and protection already in place to ensure that clients are provided with a professional service, with safeguards to protect them.  Until will writing becomes a regulated activity, this level of protection cannot be guaranteed by all will writers.

Source of information: The Law Society Gazette

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You can obtain free advice in relation to employment rights from the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) 

Free advice line : 08457 474747 or visit their website at www.acas.org.uk

Community Legal Service (CLS) can provide free advice in relation to a range of legal problems including Debt, Housing and homelessness, Education, Welfare benefits, Police and crime.

Free advice line: 08453 454345 or vist their website at www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk