Terms of Service 

Legacy Matters Ltd

Welcome to Legacy Matters Ltd (“we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing our website at https://legacy-matters.co.uk/ and/or engaging our services related to wills, trusts, lasting power of attorney, probate, protection (insurance), bloodline planning, secure storage, declarations of trust, vulnerable beneficiary protection, business succession planning, tax planning, reducing inheritance tax, care fee & deduction mitigation, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. Please read these terms carefully, and if you do not agree with any part of them, refrain from using our website or services.

1. Service Scope: 

Legacy Matters ltd. offers comprehensive services in the following areas:

Wills:

We provide personalised will drafting services tailored to your individual circumstances and wishes. Our experienced professionals will work with you to create a legally binding and accurate representation of your last will and testament.

Trusts:

Our trust services enable you to protect and manage your assets effectively, ensuring they are distributed according to your wishes while providing benefits such as tax efficiency and control.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA):

We assist you in creating a lasting power of attorney, empowering appointed individuals to make important decisions on your behalf if you become incapable of doing so in the future.

Probate:

Legacy Matters Ltd offers guidance and support through the probate process, including applying for probate, administering estates, and distributing assets in accordance with the deceased’s will.

Protection (Insurance):

We offer access to insurance products and solutions that can help protect your assets and financial interests, such as life insurance or estate protection plans.

Bloodline Planning:

Our bloodline planning services focus on preserving your wealth for future generations, protecting your family’s financial future while minimising potential inheritance tax liabilities.

Secure Storage:

Legacy Matters Ltd provides secure and confidential storage facilities for important legal documents, ensuring their safekeeping and accessibility when needed.

Declarations of Trust:

We draft declarations of trust to establish legal ownership and beneficial interest in jointly held assets, offering clarity and protection in property and asset ownership.

Vulnerable Beneficiary Protection:

Our services include strategies to safeguard the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries, ensuring their financial well-being is protected while adhering to legal requirements.

Business Succession Planning:

We assist business owners in planning for the future of their companies, devising strategies for the smooth transfer of ownership or management to successors.

Tax Planning:

Legacy Matters Ltd offers expert tax planning advice and solutions to minimise tax liabilities and optimise your financial affairs.

Reducing Inheritance Tax:

Our services include exploring legitimate means to reduce inheritance tax, ensuring your estate is efficiently passed on to your chosen beneficiaries.

Care Fee & Deduction Mitigation:

We provide advice and assistance in managing care fees and mitigating associated deductions, preserving your assets while ensuring necessary care and support.

2. Client Engagement:

To engage in our services, you must be of legal age and have the legal capacity to enter into a contract. By using our website or engaging in our services, you represent and warrant that you meet these criteria.

We reserve the right to decline engagement with any client at our discretion.

3. Fees and Payment:

Details of our service fees and payment terms will be provided upon request or during the consultation process.

Payment for our services is due upon agreement to engage our services, unless otherwise specified in writing.

4. Confidentiality:

If you are accessing our website from the UK or Europe, you have certain rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). These rights include the right to access, rectify, and erase your personal data, as well as the right to restrict or object to certain processing activities. If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

5. Intellectual Property:

All materials, content, and intellectual property provided on our website or as part of our services are owned or licensed by Legacy Matters Ltd. You agree not to reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any such materials without our prior written consent.

6. Limitation of Liability:

While we strive to provide accurate and reliable services, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of any information or materials provided.

Legacy Matters Ltd, its directors, employees, or affiliates shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use of our website or services.

7. Governing Law and Jurisdiction:

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom.

Any disputes arising from these terms or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the United Kingdom.

Main Laws and Regulations for the Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Estate Planning Industry

In the United Kingdom, the wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning industry is governed by several laws and regulations. Below is a list of the main laws and regulations relevant to this industry in the UK:

  1. Wills Act 1837:

– The Wills Act 1837 sets out the legal requirements for creating a valid will, including the formalities for its execution and revocation.

  1. Administration of Estates Act 1925:

– This Act outlines the rules for the distribution of the estate of a deceased person when there is no valid will or when the will does not dispose of all the assets.

  1. Trustee Act 1925:

– The Trustee Act 1925 provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, and responsibilities of trustees in managing trusts.

  1. Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975:

– This Act allows certain categories of individuals to make claims against an estate if they believe that reasonable financial provision has not been made for them.

  1. Mental Capacity Act 2005:

– The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a legal framework for decision-making on behalf of individuals who lack mental capacity to make their own decisions, including lasting powers of attorney.

  1. Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

– These laws regulate the collection, processing, and protection of personal data, including client information.

  1. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA):

– FSMA regulates financial services activities, and firms that provide financial advice related to estate planning may fall under its scope.

  1. Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017):

– These regulations impose anti-money laundering obligations on businesses, including estate planning professionals.

  1. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Regulations:

– If the business provides financial advice or certain financial products, they may be subject to regulations and oversight by the FCA.

  1. Law Society Wills and Inheritance Protocol:

– The Law Society has a protocol that outlines best practise and standards for wills and estate planning services.

  1. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct:

– Solicitors providing estate planning services are governed by the SRA Code of Conduct.

  1. Care Act 2014:

– The Care Act 2014 sets out the legal framework for local authorities’ responsibilities regarding adult care and support.

  1. Elderly Client Care and Vulnerable Clients Guidelines:

– Professional bodies may have guidelines and best practises for working with elderly and vulnerable clients.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there may be additional laws and regulations depending on the specific services provided and the location within the UK.

These Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom.

Any disputes arising from these terms or our services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the United Kingdom.

Main Laws and Regulations for the Wills, Trusts, Probate, and Estate Planning Industry

In the United Kingdom, the wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning industry is governed by several laws and regulations. Below is a list of the main laws and regulations relevant to this industry in the UK:

  1. Wills Act 1837:

– The Wills Act 1837 sets out the legal requirements for creating a valid will, including the formalities for its execution and revocation.

  1. Administration of Estates Act 1925:

– This Act outlines the rules for the distribution of the estate of a deceased person when there is no valid will or when the will does not dispose of all the assets.

  1. Trustee Act 1925:

– The Trustee Act 1925 provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, and responsibilities of trustees in managing trusts.

  1. Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975:

– This Act allows certain categories of individuals to make claims against an estate if they believe that reasonable financial provision has not been made for them.

  1. Mental Capacity Act 2005:

– The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a legal framework for decision-making on behalf of individuals who lack mental capacity to make their own decisions, including lasting powers of attorney.

  1. Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

– These laws regulate the collection, processing, and protection of personal data, including client information.

  1. Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA):

– FSMA regulates financial services activities, and firms that provide financial advice related to estate planning may fall under its scope.

  1. Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017):

– These regulations impose anti-money laundering obligations on businesses, including estate planning professionals.

  1. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Regulations:

– If the business provides financial advice or certain financial products, they may be subject to regulations and oversight by the FCA.

  1. Law Society Wills and Inheritance Protocol:

– The Law Society has a protocol that outlines best practise and standards for wills and estate planning services.

  1. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct:

– Solicitors providing estate planning services are governed by the SRA Code of Conduct.

  1. Care Act 2014:

– The Care Act 2014 sets out the legal framework for local authorities’ responsibilities regarding adult care and support.

  1. Elderly Client Care and Vulnerable Clients Guidelines:

– Professional bodies may have guidelines and best practises for working with elderly and vulnerable clients.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there may be additional laws and regulations depending on the specific services provided and the location within the UK.

8. Amendments:

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time to reflect changes in our services or for legal or regulatory reasons.

Any material changes to these terms will be notified to you via email or prominently displayed on our website.

9. Severability:

If any provision of these Terms of Service is found to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

By using our website or engaging in our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service.

Mark Layzell

Managing Director, Legacy Matters Ltd