Long Term Care Fees, Asset Protection, Lasting Power of Attorney, Probate, Wills, Equity Release, Court of Protection, Later Life Financial Planning, Lease Extensions, Residential Sales & Purchases.
A High Quality Law Firm
In 1989, husband and wife team Michael Stennett and Elaine Beckford-Stennett started a law firm with the aim of providing a high quality service. Since then the law firm has developed into a “one stop shop” for legal, financial and property services. Giving a high quality service remains at the heart of Stennett and Stennett.
We take pride in giving a professional service because we want our relationship with clients to be long term. At the outset of a matter, we outline the work we will do for you, who in the firm will deal with it, estimate the length of time it will take to complete the task and how much it is likely to cost.
Solicitors within the Community
We have a practical, modern approach, whilst upholding the traditional standards of our profession. Over the years the firm has developed links with local community groups such as Age UK and the Alzheimers Society and is reputed to give specialist legal and financial advice to older persons.
Care Home Fees and Lasting Power of Attorney
If the cost of moving to a nursing home concerns you or someone you know we can give sound advice about the NHS rules relating to long term care fees, known as Charging for Residential Accommodation Guidelines (CRAG). Our understanding of this field of law has resulted in many of our clients successfully avoiding nursing care fees. With our knowledge of the rules relating to long term care fees funding we can ensure that those eligible can get a financial contribution towards the cost of care from social services.
We have a department specialising in applications to the Court of Protection for the mentally infirm. Whether you have a loved one who needs their affairs managed or they need a will approved by the Court our expertise allows us to provide a fast and accurate service.
You may need a lasting power of attorney to manage your property and affairs, and your health and welfare. The legal instrument may be needed to assist someone who is elderly or has special needs. We can assist by drafting clear and unambiguous end of life decisions in a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney. Our team can help you make sure the application to the Court of Protection to register the lasting power of attorney is submitted correctly, thereby saving you time.
Financial Planning from an Independent Financial Adviser
As independent financial advisers we are regulated by the Financial Services Authority to give specialist advice on later life financial planning including equity release and inheritance tax planning. Being independent and not tied to a particular provider we can source the entire market for the product that is best for you. We can help with arranging nursing care fee funding.
Probate and Wills with a Personal Touch
The death of a loved one is a traumatic experience. Bereavement can be made more difficult if you have to sort out the deceased's legal and financial affairs. Executors have duties that require them to manage the deceased's affairs properly and deal with the Probate Registry and the Revenue. Our probate team has over 20 years experience in handling estates.
Preparing a well drafted will can avoid death duty, ensures your estate is distributed in accordance with your wishes, helps to avoid family disputes and just as important, gives you peace of mind. We take pride in the professional way that we prepare wills for our customers.
Residential and Commercial Conveyancing
We are one of the leading conveyancing practices in the area and are accredited with The Law Society's Conveyancing Charter (CQS). We act for buyers and sellers in all types of residential and commercial conveyancing. You may be considering moving to a retirement property and we also provide expert advice on the “small print” often found in leases for retirement flats that enable freeholders to charge high exit fees if unchallenged at the outset.
Quality Leasehold Knowledge and Advice
We have for many years acted for leaseholders and freeholders. We are on the panel of solicitors of the government sponsored Leasehold Advisory Service. Lessees wishing to buy their freehold (known as Collective Enfranchisement) and/or extend their leases (known as a lease extension) (must be careful to avoid the pitfalls that exist for the unwary and so it is essential to have an adviser familiar with the law and procedure. The knowledge we have acquired acting for lessees has meant we can give a good service to freeholders, wishing either to oppose an application to enfranchise or to sell the property for the best price. We can also advise on the procedure to set up a Right to Manage (RTM) company. This enables leaseholders to exercise their right to acquire the management of their building, subject to qualification.