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We spend our lives working to provide for ourselves and our loved ones yet 57% of the population do not have a Will, meaning their loved ones may not be catered for should the worst happen. If you have a property, any savings, insurance policies or personal belongings you need to consider making a Will.

As doctors, you deal with life and death every day, but how much thought do you give to protecting your assets for your loved ones? If you don’t have a Will, your assets could pass into a state of intestacy, where they will be distributed according to a complicated set of laws, and not necessarily be shared as you would like. Here we guide you through everything you need to consider when it comes to Wills and estate planning.

Wills

By making a Will you can:-

• Ensure your assets are shared according to your wishes
• Choose who you want to be your executors to administer your property and possessions
• Preserve your assets for your family and future generations
• If you have children, you can choose guardians who should look after them
• Potentially mitigate any inheritance tax and/or care fees
• Protect your estate from third party costs such as care home fees

How BMA Law can help

We provide a fast efficient and friendly service at a discounted rate for BMA members. Our fixed fee includes:

• A telephone consultation with one of our legal experts
• Detailed legal advice to ensure the Will achieves your needs
• Drafting your Will and providing written advice and instructions
• Free secure storage of your Will

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

A Lasting Power of Attorney is the legal document that gives you the power to appoint one or more people that you trust to make decisions concerning your welfare and finances. Your attorney will be able to make decisions on your behalf should you lack mental capacity at any stage in the future.

There are two types of LPA:

1. Property and financial affairs (allowing an attorney to make decisions about paying bills, dealing with the bank, collecting benefits, selling your house, etc.)
2. Health and welfare (allowing decisions on treatment, care, medication, where you live, etc.)

Should an LPA not be in place and you lose mental capacity, a person may need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed to look after your affairs This can be both costly, time consuming and stressful for your family and carers.

How BMA Law can help

We ensure that creating an LPA is straight forward with at a discounted rate for BMA members. Our fixed fee includes:

• A telephone conversation with one of our legal experts
• Detailed legal advice to ensure your LPA achieves your aims
• Drafting your LPA and providing written advice and instructions
• Free secure storage of your completed LPA

Probate

 When a loved one passes away dealing with their affairs can seem extremely complicated and daunting. At BMA Law our team of probate experts can help you with the practical and legal steps needed to make the probate and estate administration process as straightforward as possible.

Probate is required when the deceased owned property or land or had assets worth more than £5,000.  Should Probate be required we offer a full estate administration service, we advise, support and guide the Personal Representatives through each stage, giving timescales in accordance with the specific needs of the estate.

Alternatively if you want to administer the estate yourself but need help with the legal aspects of obtaining the Grant of Representation, we can help you.

What makes us different?

• Fixed fees, discounted for BMA members, payable by the estate, so that there are no unexpected legal bills
• Our specialist probate lawyers can carry out interviews over the phone at a time convenient to you
• You will have a dedicated and experienced case manager who will guide you through the whole process
• We guarantee proactive and regular updates throughout
• Our expertise, streamlined process and case management system make us fast and efficient so that the beneficiaries receive their inheritance at the earliest opportunity

Estate Planning

At BMA Law we know that forward planning can ensure your wealth is protected and can mitigate the impact of the 40% inheritance tax threshold on your death. We are able to offer a tailored tax efficient approach making use of the exemptions and tax reliefs available, including possible life time transfers and the use of discretionary trusts.

Our Service

• • Provide bespoke advice tailored to meet your needs from or legal experts
  • Draft the legal documentation necessary to preserve your assets

Please call us on 0300 123 2014 or email info@bmalaw.co.uk  for further information

Expert support Find out more about our Wills service>