Archive for category Funeral Directors
Choose Lodge Brothers Legal Attorneys to Administer your Estate
Posted by admin in Legal Services on September 2, 2023
A lasting power of attorney document serves as a legal instruction which allows you, the donor, to appoint someone, generally an attorney who has expertise and is permitted to provide legal advice, for the purpose of making decisions on your behalf when you are not able to, for instance should you become mentally or medically incapacitated. Lodge Brothers attorneys specialise in providing the Lasting Power of Attorney Guildford service and can direct you in setting up this legal document. There are 2 types of lasting power of attorney; one for health and welfare and the other for property and financial affairs and a donor has the choice to make use of either, or both types.
The first step to appoint your Lodge Brothers attorney who will provide you with the relevant paperwork to complete and advice you regarding the 2 types of lasting power of attorney Ashford which is available and what they cover. For example the Health and welfare power of attorney covers decisions pertaining to your daily care and lifestyle routines, medical care options, care home options and aspects relating to life-sustaining treatment such as which heroic measures or extraordinary procedures that you wish therapists to do in order to either save or extend your life when you are unable to provide instruction. All aspects relating these aspects are very personal and can make a monumental difference not only to your life, but the lives of your family members which is why engaging with a attorney for this purpose will simply the process and ensure that your choices are safeguarded.
When it comes to property and financial affairs, the Lasting power of attorney Feltham will guide decisions relating to aspects of your bank, building society, account payments, benefit collection and the selling or distribution of your home and assets, allowing you to have the final say as to how these aspects should be managed. This, in conjunction with your last will and testament will ensure that your decisions about your estate and finances are executed legally and with no contest, before your departure, if you are no longer mentally or medically able to refer.
Once you have fully consulted with Lodge Brothers in terms of your options, the paperwork will be completed and lodged with the Office of the Public Guardian which can take to 20 weeks to be finalised, for which there is a nominal cost of (as per gov.uk in 2022) £82.
If a Lasting power of attorney has not been registered at the point at which mental capacity is lost, a deputy will be appointed by the Court of Protection, however this complicated and costly process does not ensure that your personal wishes are met, however all legal aspects relating to a person’s care and well-being will be considered on an on-going basis, as required. The family will not be able to provide input as to what personal care should be or what decisions should be made regarding your finances. This can leave the family in a vulnerable position in the long run.
We can advise on making LPA’s, prepare the documents and deal with registration at the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”).
Contact Lodge Brothers Lasting power of attorney Woking and Lodge Brothers Lasting power of attorney Weybridge to speak to us and find out how we can assist you.
You can trust Roehampton to guide you through every step
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors on May 6, 2023
The funeral industry has been operational since the dawn of mankind itself and has continued to evolve over time as societal attitudes and preferences have changed. Other factors which have influenced the funeral industry are the advent of new technologies and services. One of the unique features of Lodge Brothers is their commitment to personalised funerals. They work closely with families to create a funeral service that reflects the life and personality of their loved one.
One of the biggest trends in the funeral industry has been a focus on personalisation of the organisation of the funeral as well as the funeral itself which is more often in line with the deceased’s values and preferences. Funeral directors offer more customisable options to help families create a funeral service that reflects the personality and interests of their loved one, from unique casket designs to personalised tributes.
The funeral industry has also radically embraced technology, more especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, offering online obituaries and live-streamed services to help connect mourners who are unable to attend in person.
Families and individuals are taking a more environmentally aware approach to the funeral of their loved ones. As environmental awareness has grown, so has the trend toward green funerals. These services prioritize environmentally-friendly practices such as biodegradable caskets, natural burial sites, and eco-friendly cremation methods.
Lodge Brothers offers a range of funeral services, including traditional funerals, cremations, green funerals, and pre-paid funeral plans. They also offer a variety of additional services, such as bereavement counselling, floral tributes, and memorial masonry.
Lodge Brothers funeral directors near Roehampton additionally offer pre-planning services geared to help individuals to make arrangements for their own funerals, allowing them a voice in their final ceremony and alleviating the strain on their family members. This provides peace of mind through alleviate the burden on family members when the time comes.
Overall, the Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors near Ruislip, a family-owned and operated funeral directors in the United Kingdom, has evolved to provide a wider range of options and services, helping families to create more meaningful and personalised funeral experiences that reflect their individual needs and preferences. This can include anything from music and readings to specific items or themes that were important to the deceased.
Lodge Brothers also has a strong focus on community involvement and support. They have a dedicated team of staff who work with local organizations and charities to aid and support for those who have experienced a loss. Lodge Brothers is a well-established funeral directors with a long history of providing high-quality funeral services. Their commitment to personalized service and community involvement makes them a popular choice for those in need of funeral services. While the funeral industry continues to evolve, the act of honouring and remembering a loved one who has passed away through a funeral service remains the most important part of the grieving process for many people.
Looking for local Lawyers?
Posted by admin in Legal Services on May 4, 2023
Probate is the lawful process that takes place after someone dies which facilitates the distribution of their assets and settlement of their debts. When an individual dies, their property and assets (referred to as their estate) are left behind. Probate is the legal process used to identify, value and finally distribute the assets of the deceased person’s estate, in accordance with the deceased person’s Will (should there be one). While it is possible to handle probate without an attorney, it can be a complex and time-consuming process.
The probate process starts when an executor or personal representative named in the will files a petition with the court initiating the process. If there is no will and no legal attorney to appointed to represent the deceased and their estate, the court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate.
During the probate process, the court will verify the validity of the will (if there is one), identify and catalogue the deceased person’s assets, firstly paying any debts and taxes owed by the estate and then distribute the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will or, according to the law.
Probate can be a time-consuming and complex process, especially if the deceased person had a substantial or complicated estate. It is therefore highly recommended to work with an attorney who specialises in probate Sunbury to help navigate the process and ensure that everything is handled properly.
In some cases, probate Shepperton can be straightforward and simple, for example, if the estate is small, with few assets and a clear distribution plan, probate may be handled by the executor. However, if the estate is intricate, with significant assets, debts, or tax matters, or if there are disputes among heirs or beneficiaries, it is advisable to work with Lodge Legal Probate attorneys, who specialise in probate Walton and can assist with the navigation of the process. Working with an experienced probate West Byfleet attorney can help to ensure that everything is handled properly and that the estate is settled in a timely and efficient manner.
Lodge Legal solicitors will help you with the legal requirements of probate, including filing the necessary paperwork, complying with deadlines, requirements and communicating with the court and other parties involved in the process. They can also provide guidance on the distribution of assets and help to resolve any disputes that may arise.
It’s also a good idea to start thinking about making these arrangements once you reach the age of 18 years old. At this age, you may want to consider creating a will and designating beneficiaries for your assets, as well as selecting a person or persons to act as your executor, who will manage your estate after your death. It’s important to keep in mind that these arrangements are not set in stone and can be updated as your circumstances change. It’s always a good idea to consult with Lodge Brothers Legal attorneys to help you create a plan that suits your needs and goals.
The family your family can turn to
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors on January 4, 2023
While Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors have been operational since 1780, it is fair to say that there have been some changes in the way that funerals are held since the 18th Century and so too has the nature of what is expected when there is a funeral. Lodge Brothers has existed throughout many changes in requirements and are still able to meet the expectations of the loved ones and friends who attend a funeral. Often, the expectations of the family can conflict with those of the departed and so it is especially important for the wishes of the deceased to be honoured on the final day of their being.
Each person is unique in their lives and how they chose to live it and so too in death. Therefore, if there is something that you hold particularly dear or if you have strong feelings as to how you would like to be seen out, you are able to contact your Lodge Brother funeral directly to make the appropriate arrangements for your final event.
Lodge Brothers funeral directors Virginia Water have many facilities to assist you to have the perfect funeral as you would choose it to be. As families we so seldom have these conversations with our loved ones and advise them of how we would like our funeral to look like. A common question is whether to be buried or cremated and often there is an indication of which would be preferable for the departed. However, this is usually where the conversation stops if it evens began at all. Understandably, there is a lot of fear and anxiety associated with funerals which hinders people from raising the topic. This is especially true when it comes to the death of a child or young adult. So often, more than not, those who are left behind in abject grief are required to make decisions that they simply would rather not face at their time of mourning.
No matter what your age why not look at your options for your funeral and decide for yourself how you would like to have your final send off. Lodge Brothers funeral directors Teddington can assist you with funeral pricing and planning, as well as many related aspects of the day, from flower arrangements, floral tributes, and donations in lieu of flowers, to masonry, memorial books, and memory boxes. As it is your funeral, you will be able to contribute the ideas and aspects of the finer details of your funeral so that when it comes, none of your loved ones will be responsible for difficult decisions or unexpected financial costs. All these details can be attended by you in consultation with your Lodge Brother funeral directors Slough.
There are many new and wonderful ideas for how to celebrate the end of life and as celebrating the life of your loved one is widely known to be a vital aspect associated with the bereavement process and formation of closure so commonly well needed at the time of departure, why not take the time to look at your options and decide for yourself.
Legal Attorneys Surrey
Posted by admin in Legal Services on January 3, 2023
Your Legal Power of Attorney, referred to as an LPA, is a document which anyone over the age of 18, with full mental capacity, can have drawn up with the goal of appointing an attorney, or a legal firm, to act and speak on your behalf should you become incapacitated to do so yourself. As the initiator of the LPA the label given to you is “the donor” and this is an empowering tool which you can use to acquire the legal help you may need one day, for the purpose of helping you to preservice your rights, your needs and your preferences when it comes to your care.
Lodge Brothers Legal Attorneys is affiliated with Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors and as such there are 40 branches local branches which they have access to across Surrey, Berkshire and Middlesex. A Lasting Power of Attorney Guildford can be set up regardless of whether you are currently in the UK and you do not need to be a British Citizen to have one drawn up, although the processes in Scotland and Northern Ireland do differ.
Typically, the Lasting Power of Attorney Ashford covers 2 aspects which are relating to your health and welfare and secondly, relates to your financial affairs, including property however it is up to the individual as to whether they want to apply the LPA to just one, or both aspects of their lives.
When it comes to our personal care and safeguarding, it is not always possible for a person to represent themselves in old age or if they have been subject to an accident, incident or illness which renders them unable to represent themselves, be it mentally or physically (in terms of being able to communicate or articulate our wants and needs). Usually, when it comes to a Lasting Power of Attorney Weybridge and personal care, the topics commonly covered include details pertaining to your daily personal care routine, administration of and details pertaining to medicine, wishes about care homes and life-sustaining treatments and options. It is important that even when a person is not able to represent themselves, that their wishes and beliefs are respected.
Financially speaking, when a person appoints an attorney, or attorneys, they will have instructions on how to manage all aspects of the donor’s affairs. This can alleviate the pressure on family members to make these decisions, including the payment of bills and accounts, collection of benefits or pensions and aspects relating to your physical assets and property. In the event that a person does not have a person to hand this duty over to, they will also elicit the expertise of a Lasting Power of attorney solicitor.
The process of completing the forms for your LPA will be facilitated by your attorney and the registration of your Lasting Power of Attorney should be completed as soon as the document is finalised as this can take up to 20 week to process at the Office of the Public Guardian.
Lodge Brothers Coroners Woking available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors on February 7, 2022
Just as the cost of living increases from year to year, the cost of dying is no different. The SunLife cost of dying report for 2021, an annual sector-leading research paper, which has been providing a comprehensive overview of funeral costs since 2004, shows that the cost of funerals has continued to increase on an annual basis. One positive aspect however is that the increase of funeral-related costs has at least slowed down somewhat over the last 2 years.
The same report goes on to explain that the average cost of dying in 2021, depending on where in the UK you live, is £8,864 – that is down 4.3% since 2020.
Funeral costs are rarely included as part of the average family’s annual budget. The Lodge Brothers family of Coroners Woking, offer a variety of cost-effective solutions aimed at assisting families to deal with the costs, which arise when a loved one passes away.
Lodge Brothers Coroners Langley offer a range of pre-paid for and planned funeral packages, with a suitable budget option for all, all of which are designed to alleviate the inevitable financial and emotional strain which is placed on families when a loved one passes away. What makes the difference is the Lodge Brothers pledge to ensure that there are no hidden extras to surprise you, after all is said and done. Lodge Brothers publishes a full list of all costs attached to funeral planning on their website for full transparency and will provide a detailed quote prior to proceeding with any of the funeral arrangements, so that the families of the deceased know and understand everything that they will be required to pay for.
In the case of pre-planned arrangements, the deceased has already made most of the tough decisions on behalf of their loved ones. In fact, any person who would like to make their funeral wishes known, can use the complimentary service on the website which is kept on file in the event of their demise, so that when their family choses Lodge Brothers Coroners Westminster, all of the hard decisions are already made ahead of time. Using this service does not commit anyone to a funeral plan with Lodge Brothers – it simply ensures that when you loved ones chose Lodge Brothers for funeral arrangements, the wishes of the deceased shared with the family who can then provide the funeral just as you would have, if you had planned it yourself.
Besides being able to rely on our 240 years of experience in the business of assisting families with funerals, when loved ones reach out to Lodge Brothers at their time of need, not only are they ensured of having full sight of what has been arranged and the cost of doing so, but they are also guaranteed many additional extra’s, which other Funeral homes will charge for, at no extra cost. Services such as afterhours attendance, arrangements for family viewings at the chapel of rest, delivery of ashes, additional staff or bearers, access to bereavement support and house calls, all come as part of the full service which you can expect to receive from Lodge Brothers across the UK.
Loge Brothers Legal Services | Lasting Power of Attorney Woking
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors, Legal Services on February 5, 2022
LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY WEYBRIDGE
ALL OUR FEES ARE FIXED AND AGREED IN ADVANCE.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”) is a legal document that lets you appoint another person, the attorney, to make financial and/or welfare decisions on your behalf, if in the future you become unable or unwilling to make your own decisions.
There are 2 types of Lasting Power of Attorney Ashford:
Property and Financial Affairs
- gives your Attorney authority to deal with your property and finances
- can be used whether or not you lack mental capacity
- your Attorney will be able to manage your bank account, pay your bills, collect your pension and sell your home
Health and Welfare
- allows your Attorney to make welfare and health care decisions for you, including decisions about life sustaining treatment
- can only be used if you lack mental capacity to make your own decisions
- your Attorney can make decisions about your daily routine, medical care and care home
If an LPA is not in place when mental capacity is lost, an application must be made to the Court of Protection for a Deputy to be appointed. This is a complicated and costly process, and the Court of Protection will be involved on an ongoing basis.
We can advise on making LPA’s, prepare the documents and deal with registration at the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”).
All our fees are fixed and agreed in advance starting from £475 +VAT (£570 inc. VAT) plus OPG registration fee of £82.
Click here to find out more on Lasting Power of Attorney Woking and Lasting Power of Attorney Feltham
WHY CHOOSE LODGE BROTHERS? | 020 8818 7725
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors on July 10, 2021
Lodge Brothers began as a family business currently run by six members of the Lodge family who are seventh generation funeral directors Clandon. While the current extended Lodge Family across the UK is not necessarily blood-related, the bonds between all of the funeral directors at Lodge Brothers still run deep because of the shared heritage they have and because of the common goal that they share. This is to ensure that each person who crosses their doorstep knows that they are in safe hands and can rest assured that no detail is overlooked. With so much experience and a deep love for what can only be called a vocation, Lodge Brothers funeral directors East Horsley provide many options for the funerals, which honours the memory of the deceased.
Lodge Brothers Funeral Directors Godalming are unequivocally the most accessible funeral Directors in the country which means that you do not have to go far to find us when the times comes that you should be looking for a Funeral Director. 2020 began with the harsh reality that we all need to expect the unexpected. Covid 19 has caused mayhem across the country and globally and sadly resulted in the passing of a great many people both young and old. While the older members of our country and those with underlying health issues, have been struck down the most, it does not mean that a person can afford to be nonchalant. Each person has the responsibility of taking action to ensure his or her health and safety and that of those whom are closest. Lodge Brothers have seen first-hand how this global pandemic has affected many families which is why we are so grateful for the dedicated Lodge Brothers team who compassionately assist families at their time of grief.
Funeral directors have to focus on two major areas: taking care of the logistics and legalities involved in the passing of a person, as well as taking care of the emotional aspects ensuring that the life of the person who has departed is respected and celebrated in the way in which they lived. But to the Funeral directors at Lodge Brothers, this is not a stranger who has passed away… it’s your family and who becomes our family which is why we treat each instance with the love and respect we would give if it WAS our own family. No request is too much to ask and no need is less important than the next as every single decision which has to be made for help finalise the person’s life, is of utmost importance in order for you be supported the journey that you find yourself facing. Nothing is more important to Lodge Brothers than to ensure that we are always here to help…
Lodge Brothers Funeral Services
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors, Legal Services on September 19, 2018
Lodge Brothers funeral services is always here to help. We know how unpredictable life can be on a daily basis and that things happen when you least expect it. This is why we make ourselves available at any time on any day, by phone or email. With 533,253 deaths in Wales and the UK in 2017. The office of National statistics shows that the provisional number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending 31 August 2018 was 7,865. Yourmoney.com reports that “Around 60% of UK adults still haven’t made a will, according to new research from Unbiased.co.uk, leaving around 31 million people at risk of dying intestate. If you die without a will your estate will be distributed solely according to intestacy law, which may not reflect your wishes.”
Karen Barrett, CEO and founder of Unbiased, said “It’s clear that many people think they’re just not ‘rich enough’ to need a will. This ignores the fact that a will makes inheritance a far quicker process – do they really want to keep their loved ones waiting longer, when that money might be badly needed? It also doesn’t take into account the complexity of modern families, which intestacy law simply doesn’t address. Children from previous marriages could end up receiving nothing at all.”
At Lodge Brothers, we agree that this is the essential issue surrounding those who pass away without a will and encourage customers who we meet on a daily basis, not to find themselves in the same position as their loved ones who have gone before them. The financial consequences when a loved one dies affects the whole family and especially when there is a young family involved, this can have lasting and irreversible long-lasting effects on the family unit and extended family members. While you may not feel that you are rich enough to have a will, consider what the effects would be on your family should they have to love just one month or one week if you are a weekly paid individual.
At Lodge Brothers we have options to suit every pocket and take pride in extending a helping hand to our hundreds of clients in our local areas. You can find our offices in your local areas simply by visiting our website and searching by location. You will find that we have offices in all locations and we offer additional probate services. For example, should you be looking for probate in Chertsey, Ham or Guildford, simply search probate Chertsey, probate Ham or probate Guildford to find your local branch and contact telephone number or email address. Otherwise you can go to our branch locator search feature, capture your nearest branch, town name of post code, for ease of access to information concerning all services we offer. If you’d like to know a little more about our services, we can send our ‘Guide to Arranging A Funeral’ to your home, or you can view and download a PDF. Click here to obtain.
Lodge Brothers offer an efficient, professional and above all personal service
Posted by admin in Funeral Directors, Legal Services on August 14, 2018
Preparing a will for when you pass away is one of the most important things that you can do with your life, or so we have all heard… but is it really true that not having a will is going to cause problems for those you leave behind? Or is this just another fear-based threat designed to get us to jump into action and act by paying someone else to do our will for us, when in fact we could either do it ourselves or leave it all together? After all, there are rules in place which must be followed when we die, to ensure that the possessions we gather in life, are distributed amongst the family we leave behind. Why is the threat of not having a will shrouded in so many layers of alarming outcomes for those who are affected?
The fact is that there absolutely are rules which govern the passing of assets on to family once a person has deceased. These rules are fairly straight forward and not at all difficult to apply because as with everything based in the law, there is little to no room for personal interpretation nor much capacity for a person to manipulate the rules. And it does not necessarily require an attorney’s degree to construct a simple will which is easy to understand and follow in order to ensure that the assets are distributed as they were intended to be among the family members.
However what if a person has a complicated or unknown scenario which only comes to light once the person has passed and they have not prepared a will? Or have prepared a Will which for some reason or another, such as it not being correctly witnessed, is invalid in the eyes of the law? The estate immediately considered as being intestate. Once a person’s possessions are intestate, the rules of intestacy apply. If that is the case then only married or civil partners, children and close relatives stand to benefit from the inheritance. The primary beneficiary is considered to be the husband, wife or civil partner (note: a civil partner differs from a “common law” partner).
Intestacy laws are there for substantially limiting and possibilities in life are infinite meaning that there are more scenarios under which a person may pass away, which cannot be covered by the rules governing wills. What is a parent has passed without a valid will and has 2 children, one estranged for decades and one who cared for that parent right throughout their life, up until they reached their death-bed, leaving that child cash-strapped due to the high costs of care and medicines, for the parent. By intestate law, both siblings would stand to inherit the estate equally and this is something, while difficult, that the parent would not necessarily want.
Wills can be drawn up quickly and inexpensively at any of our Wills Chertsey, Wills Guildford and Wills Ham offices of Lodge Brothers. Inquire today regarding your unique requirements for your will to ensure that your family members benefit properly from the distribution of your possessions and assets on your passing.