Trust advice – Lifetime Lawyers Gold standards
LifeTime Lawyers have issued their guidance to consumers undertaking Trust Planning, they recognize that Trust planning serves legitimate purposes however consumers should ensure they are dealing with qualified and regulated individuals. All of Accords advisors are qualified to a minimum of Paralegal status and regulated by NALP. All of our Trusts are prepared by SRA regulated solicitors. We hold full indemnity insurance as required by our regulator NALP.
Accord is proud to meet the Green Flag criteria recommended by Lifetime Lawyers.
Green Flags
- Qualified legal professionals: our team comprises – fully qualified Paralegals regulated by NALP, TEPs (STEP) and solicitors.
- Clear explanations of your options – Accord never provide clients with simply one option for your estate planning, often there may be two or three different options to consider. Trusts are certainly not recommended in every situation. Every clients situation is different and we take a bespoke approach to all planning that we undertake on your behalf.
- We provide Trustees with information detailing their responsibilities and duties.
- We provide fully transparent fee quotes prior to work being undertaken ensuring you are fully informed as to costs. In the event that unexpected additional costs arise – (for example a property being unregistered at Land Registry) that will require additional work we will inform you prior to undertaking any additional work and obtain your consent to proceed. There will be no hidden surprises.
- Patience and understanding – our priority is ensuring our clients have the right planning in place for them, we would rather you take your time, ask quaetions and have as many meetings as is needed for you (our client) to feel 100% happy with your choice of planning. We will never place any pressure on you to make a decision.
- All of our Trust planning is bespoke, Trusts can be very useful in a number of different circumstances, and can provide different benefits, depending on the trype of Trust and your circumstances and aims.
- You have full choice of who you appoint as Trsutees and Executors – most of our clients appoint family members our advisors will discuss this with you, we do however have our own independent Trust Corporation in the event that you would like a professional to act as Trsuee (what is a Trust Corporation link below).
- We also act for Trustees where Trusts have been created by other firms who may no longer be operating examples of such work includes, McClures Soliciotrs, Phillips Trust, Universal Trust and others. When a company no longer operates it does not automatically mean a Trust comes to an end, but there are important considerations such as is the Trust still required, does it need to be wound up, any administration tasks that are outstanding.
- We are specialists in this area of law, as evidenced by our advisor minimum qualification guarantee , our accreditation by NALP, our in-house solicitors and STEP.
- Accord also encourage clients to include loved ones in your planning discussions this can help to minimise disputes and promote transparency.
WILLS