Lincolnshire Solicitors Warn Consumers About Unregulated Legal Services Companies

July 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Many of these companies provide schemes costing between £3,000 and £4,000 and which claim to be able to help consumers avoid care home fees.  Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the case, and people may find that their local authority will deem this to be a deliberate deprivation of assets, meaning that they may still have to end up paying care home fees.

Lincoln solicitors, Wilkin Chapman LLP, support the Legal Ombudsman’s findings, as Lisa-Jane Howes, partner and head of wills and probate at Wilkin Chapman LLP, explains: “Unlike a solicitor, these companies are completely unregulated and more often than not, the advice is being given by unqualified individuals.  There are no guarantees with the advice given, and in a worst case scenario, you may find that the service you have used has wound up, leaving you with no protection if things do go wrong.”

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and in the area of trusts and estates, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners’ (STEP) members are qualified to provide advice specifically in the field of trusts and estates.

The Legal Ombudsman was appointed in October 2010.  The Ombudsman is an impartial and independent body responsible for investigating and resolving legal complaints made against lawyers.  

Lisa-Jane adds: “I would advise anyone who is worried about their will or making provisions for care home fees to contact a solicitor and preferably a member of STEP of which there are seven at Wilkin Chapman LLP.  We will be able to provide them with expert support and guidance on the often complex law and tax rules surrounding trusts, estates and inheritance.”

Consumers can find out more by visiting www.wilkinchapman.co.uk or calling Lisa –Jane Howes on 01522 512345

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For further information, please contact:  Susan McKeon at Wilkin Chapman LLP on 01472 262612 or email smckeon@wilkinchapmangrange.co.uk

Notes to editor:
1.   Wilkin Chapman LLP
Wilkin Chapman LLP is the leading law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.  The firm has 40 partners and 320 staff at 11 offices across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.  It is the largest law firm within the Newcastle, Norwich and Leeds Triangle and prides itself on delivering a specialised legal advice and a first class client service, for a fair price, within a convenient location.

2.   Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
STEP is membership organisation for solicitors who provide advice on, trusts and estates.  Members are able to  use the designation TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner) after their name. TEPs are the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.
Further information is available at: www.step.org

3.   The Legal Ombudsman
The Legal Ombudsman for England and Wales was set up by the Office for Legal Complaints (its board) under the Legal Services Act 2007.  It opened on 6 October 2010.
Further information is available at: www.legalombudsman.org.uk

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Wilkin Chapman LLP is the largest law firm within the Newcastle, Norwich and Leeds Triangle. The firm has 40 partners and 320 staff at 11 offices across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. It prides itself on delivering a specialised legal advice and a first class client service, for a fair price, within a convenient location.

Wilkin Chapman LLP was founded in 1990 and has expanded substantially in recent years. It now has 11 offices across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire, with the firm’s main office situated in Grimsby.

In August 2010, the firm merged with well known Lincolnshire law firm, Grange Wintringham, and as a result its offices in Grimsby, Louth, Horncastle, Market Rasen, Alford, Sutton on Sea and Mablethorpe are known as Wilkin Chapman Grange. Over in Beverley, East Yorkshire, the company operates under the name of Cooper Wilkin Chapman. In Lincoln, the firm operates under the name of Wilkin Chapman LLP.