Make your Will, safely, this winter

Holmes & Hills Solicitors announce enhanced Safe Service Standards to ensure you can make your Will safely this winter.

Coronavirus has resulted in many people wanting to plan for their futures and ensure that their loved ones are protected through the creation of a valid Will. Many individuals are though concerned about seeing a lawyer face to face now.

At Holmes & Hills Solicitors, our lawyers specialising in Will writing understand the importance of ensuring your and your loved ones’ legal interests are protected; but we also understand that you may have some concerns about coming in to an office to complete your Will, especially if you have a medical condition or fall into a vulnerable category.  We believe it is our job to facilitate and support you to make your Will in the safest possible manner and have, following extensive review of government guidance, set out a number of ‘Safe Service Standards’ that will be in place should you come to one of our offices.

Will solicitors providing safe services

Our team of expert lawyers will minimise the amount of time you have to spend in our office. Your lawyer can provide expert legal advice through telephone or video calls in order to take your instructions. This telephone appointment will usually take around one hour.

Depending on the complexity of your Will, it may be necessary for you to attend the office after your initial telephone appointment. This allows us to ensure you understand the advice we have provided, as well as the implications of the legal documents we have drafted for you, before you sign them. If it is necessary for you to attend the office, our lawyers will advise you of this during your call.

Making your will safely

Holmes & Hills’ Safe Service Standards include:

• Perspex screening in place in each reception area
• Upon arrival you will be taken directly to the meeting room, to avoid sitting in a communal waiting room
• Perspex screen across the table between you and your lawyer
• Your lawyer will be wearing a full protective face shield and a fresh pair of gloves
• You will bring and use your own pen
• Appropriate social distancing will always be maintained between you and your solicitor
• The meeting room will have been fully cleaned before your arrival and will be cleaned between each appointment
• Hand sanitiser will be available in the main reception area as well as in each meeting room
• Face coverings will be provided and any client in the building must wear one unless they have a medical reason not to
• If you are unable to attend one of our offices we may be able to meet you at your home in a garden setting to comply with safe distancing to sign your Will or to witness your Will through an open window if a garden setting is unavailable.

Having a valid Will remains the only way to ensure your estate is left in accordance with your wishes. You should ensure that the document accurately reflects your wishes and is updated should your circumstances change. It is often assumed that upon their death, assets pass automatically to a partner, but this is not always the case. If you are unmarried, your partner has no automatic right to any part of your estate.

Seven offices across Essex and Suffolk

Holmes & Hills Solicitors has seven offices across Essex and Suffolk. The Firm's new regional head office, the A12 Commercial Hub, is located at junction 25 of the A12, Marks Tey, Colchester and provides clients with free parking in the firm's large private car park.

If the A12 Commercial Hub is not convenient, the firm has seven town centre offices in Braintree, Witham, Sudbury, Halstead, Tiptree and Coggeshall.