01427858331

To all Readers, We hope this link will be of use: http://www.snapsurveys.com/swh/surveylogin.asp?k=133095764648 

Tell The Information Commissioners Office about electronic marketing communications you have received

*If you've had an unwanted marketing call or message we want to know about it.  
*They will use the information you give them to help build a picture of these communications.
*The more information you are able to provide, the more likely it is that they will be able to identify the companies involved and take action against them.

Thankyou for reading.

KW

To all Readers: Regulation of will-writers will affect solicitors too
Monday 30 April 2012 by Rachel Rothwell

The solicitors’ profession was punching the air in celebration last week when the Legal Services Board announced its intention to finally bring will-writing into the regulatory fold.

There is no shortage of evidence about the misery caused by unscrupulous will-writers; a story from last year about a firm that dumped its documents on the pavement after going bust springs to mind as one of the worst examples. But it must be pointed out that the vast majority of those who write wills, whether they are solicitors or not, are competent and professional individuals, who provide a good service; and indeed the non-regulated sector has proven very successful in offering, for example, home visits, which make it as easy as possible for people to make a will (when it comes to writing wills, people are always looking for an excuse to do it tomorrow, not today). These reputable firms will probably welcome the opportunity to pin the badge of regulation on their lapels (though they may be less keen on the accompanying cost). But proper regulation should - at last - see off the rogues.

The new regulatory rules will cover the activities of will-writing, probate and estates administration, whoever does it - so they will apply to solicitors as well as everyone else. The LSB clearly has its doubts about the effectiveness of solicitors’ current regulation in these areas, asserting that problems with quality, service, transparency and fraud exist in both the regulated and unregulated sectors (although it does concede that the worst sales practices, and problems with the safekeeping of wills and options for redress, are largely confined to will-writers rather than solicitors).

The LSB says the way solicitors are regulated at the moment puts too much emphasis on controlling entry to the profession, without being targeted to the risks. Instead, it wants to see front-line regulators like the Solicitors Regulation Authority conducting more risk-based monitoring and supervision in relation to wills. The level of inspection a firm should expect would depend on the regulator’s analysis of the risk they present; so you might assume that a well-run firm whose wills are written by qualified staff would receive fewer visits.

Bodies that want to regulate will-writing will need to place a tick in the box to show they have the following in place: a mandatory register of the organisations they have authorised to write wills; a fit and proper person test before anyone can be licensed to write wills; a code of conduct covering sales practices; a requirement that firms must have an appropriately trained workforce; a strategy for supervision and enforcement, with financial penalties for transgression; requirements for firms to have in-house complaints procedures (they will also be subject to the Legal Ombudsman’s gaze); and professional indemnity where the provider has access to consumers’ money (for example in estates management).

All of these will be welcome and essential developments, and frankly hard for anyone to argue with. But just as important is one further requirement: any body wishing to regulate will-writing must have a strategy in place to educate consumers about the process of making a will. With so many people still failing to cross that job off the to-do list, any development that raises the profile of will-making can only be a good thing.
http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/blogs/blogs/news- ... -solicitors-too

Thankyou for reading.

KW

It is time to step up the urgency and teeth of the legislation now.
                 
As hay will be made faster while the sun still shines.

I have received a call from Kingsgate Legal Assistance to set up a trust to avoid possible future care home fees for my mother. They are quoting £1500. Is this a scam or not?

Be careful.    This is an extract from the June 2012 Saga Magazine, page 103, on exactly that question:

"Local Authority care rules forbid 'deliberate deprivation of assets' to avoid paying fees.
"If you are found to have entered into an arrangement that attempts to move assets out of the reach of the authority, it can treat you as if you still had the assets in your possession, or put a charge on the assets and seize the proceeds of any subsequent sale.
"Since the adviser is selling the trust idea on the basis that you can use it to avoid care-home fees, there is no doubt that your intention in setting up a trust would be 'deliberate deprivation'. So, by definition, the trust won't work"

£1500 for a Trust ruled invalid might not be a good investment.     Get independent advice.
Oh, and yes, I know that I am a sad old soul to be reading Saga Magazine.

H T Thankyou for your comments. Your post suggests that you received this quote over the phone, is that correct? It is unusual for them to do this, without gathering information with regard to your mother's personal circumstances.

They normally cold call you and offer you a home visit with a Consultant giving free advice on how to protect your assets.

We suggest that you go to a Reputable Solicitor who is regulated by The Law Society or a Professional Will Writer who is regulated by The Institute of Professional Will Writers (IPW) as they may be able to provide the same products for less.

Thankyou for reading.

KW

Express 'Law' of Doncaster are known crooks to various authorities.
As are the people in the seat and most of their minions.

Shame on you Google that you cannot be threatened by china yet fix search results for people who are hired to work your system, unless there is another reason.
Whocallsme 01427.
I will fix you myself.

Hi Christine
Any chance you could give an update on the sanctions received by those involved in the operation of these companies?
Many posts ago, there was mention of police involvement and action by other authorities, but it all seems to have gone quiet.
Is the sad fact that they have got away with it yet again?
Yours HKF

This company is now targetting people in the Grimsby area

Gerrys back.....

where is he.
is he setting up another scam

so is summer,and not seen that yet chesney

EXPRESS LAW: My elderly parent received a call from this company today and they have made an appointment to call next week. A member of the family will be here anyway, but is there anything we can do to stop them calling in the first place and causing any distress? The man who is coming to the appointment (that my elderly parent didn't make) is called ,'Gerry Carrington' and the lady who cold called was called 'Jackie'.

They're trying for appointments in Burton on Trent now.

Where you implying that Express Law of Doncaster are just moving from company to company with the usual suspects all the same?
And that they just rip people off?

Why not book one whilst they are hot then:)
Money will be made.

To all Readers, the will writing industry claims to write around 10% of new wills and it’s obvious why people are attracted to them as they purport to be cheaper, however, as well as the charge for storage and additional items such as setting up a trust (to ensure a house is not sold to pay for care fees) it can cost up to or even in excess of £3000 when it shouldn’t be more than £750 for a trust.

There are also examples of wills not being signed properly, which can result in serious consequences.

Often Consumers think that Will Writers are Solicitors and some could lead you to believe that they are, however this is not true. Solicitors are not allowed to cold call for business whereas this is where Will Writers gain most of their clients. Yet, what's more worrying is their victims are often unaware that their Will Writers are not regulated either, there are no method for complaints or redress, as the Will Writers may not have insurance.

There are a number of membership organisations that Will Writers can join, however, they do not guarantee members are qualified, trustworthy or financially viable. Members can use membership branding, often giving consumers a false sense of security.

The public can be mislead because Will Writers use the word ‘legal’ in their advertisements despite the fact they are not legally qualified. In some cases, Will Writers were even appointing themselves as executors and offering related legal services for which they were not trained or regulated, such as Powers of Attorney, obtaining Probate and even tax advice, all at an additional cost.

Other cases involve Will Writing Companies being wound up and disappearing with all of their clients’ will documents, or family members being left out of a will against the wishes of the client.

Chief executive Chris Kenny of the LSB (Legal Services Board) says “There is some really nasty criminal stuff going on at the bottom of the market.”

Please be careful when choosing a company to deal with your wishes, home and assets. Information suggests that it's safer to use a Trusted Solicitor.

Thankyou for reading.

KW

So...
             
What's the supposed problems with Express Law of Doncaster than?
Anyone?

To all Readers, the below comment is from: https://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/02076924929

pedro - 18 Jun 2012

Please be assured that everything you read on this forum regarding Inheritance and Probate Solutions Ltd is correct...it is a scam. The company is under investigation by the Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Trading Standards offices. Police are also informing all Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators. My parents have already been taken for £1995 so PLEASE do not give them any money!

Caller: Inheritance and Probate Solutions Ltd
----

Thankyou for reading.

KW

My mother also recieved a cold call from Kingsgate Legal Assistance, Bridlington. Unfortunately she responded without discussing it with me and recieved a visit from the company who explained how setting  up a familt trust could avoid losing her home for future care costs. As a result she handed over a cheque for £1500. She recieved a package of documentation and some forms to sign which she later showed to me. I recommended that she did nothing with the forms until I had checked out KLA on the internet. Is there any way she can get her money back? Who should I report this to?

GB