Herald - Issue 409

15th July 2021 • The HERALD • Page 65 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v BRYANT & CO Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers We provide a wide range of accounting and business services to individuals, partnerships and limited companies. We specialise in working with family owned businesses, providing guidance and advice as appropriate. Our services include: • Annual Accounts • Bookkeeping • VAT • Payroll and CIS • Personal and Corporate Tax Returns • Management Accounts • Business Advice • We also provide training on the use of Sage and Quickbooks, and the implementation of computerised and manual accounting systems. • Meetings can be arranged to suit your needs, including evenings and weekends if more convenient to you. • The initial meeting is free of charge, regardless of the length of time, as we believe it is important to develop a good working relationship from the outset. • All fees are agreed in advance of any work being undertaken. Please call Peter or Lisa on 023 8089 4982 to arrange a meeting to discuss your business needs. You can also contact Peter on 07976 808969, or email us at info@bryantandcompany.co.uk Have a look at our website www.bryantandcompany.co.uk for a fuller understanding of our business. ASK A PROFESSIONAL Keep to the Guidelines but Don’t Neglect your Financial Affairs by Lindsay Taylor, Associate Solicitor In just a few days we will reach Freedom Day 2.0 on 19th July. We are not out of the woods yet, but we have a clear path forward. Being under a third lockdown and subsequent restrictions a ords many people the time to consider their nances. During the initial lockdown over a year ago, we had many clients updating or making their rst will. Due to data protection regulations your family cannot automatically obtain access to your personal, nancial or medical a airs. Instead, you must give your authority. is is to protect your privacy as you may not wish your a airs to be divulged to another person automatically. is is ne when you yourself can make decisions; but what is to happen should you lose capacity? In these circumstances it is important to have formally set out how you wish your a airs to be managed in short or long-term circumstances. e best vehicle to manage your a airs is a lasting power of attorney (LPA). is is a legal document that enables you as a ‘donor’ to appoint a trusted person(s) as your attorney(s). You can make an LPA for Heath and/or Finance to cover all your a airs during your lifetime. You may appoint multiple people and even di erent people for each legal document. You should never blindly appoint individuals but instead the person or people best situated to look a er your a airs. It is always a good idea to discuss the appointment with your proposed attorneys and if need be you can discuss the documents with a professional. Solicitors who specialise in LPAs can advise and guide you through the appointment, registration and implementation process. You need only contact us to start the process and we will arrange everything in accordance with the government guidelines. e important point to take away is not to leave matters to the last minute. I have acted for many individuals who have brought a family member to me to make an LPA only for me to give them the sad news that it is too late and their mental capacity to make an LPA has been lost. Whatever you decide to do, take the opportunity now to put your a airs in order so your loved ones do not have the heartache of trying to sort out your a airs whilst you are unable to. Lindsay Taylor is an Associate Solicitor based at our COVID-secure Hythe Office. For your conveyancing and private client needs you can contact CGM Solicitors on 023 8084 2765 for an appointment. Lindsay Taylor