Herald - Issue 416

Page 60 • The HERALD • 9th December 2021 v THE HERALD - SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES v ASK A PROFESSIONAL The Perils of Will Writing for Blended Families by Heritage Will Writing MORE than half a million families in the UK include children from previous relationships. at’s 11% of the total. And this can lead to complications when it comes to estate planning. e last thing you want is con ict within your blended, or step family following your death. But if it’s not handled properly and thoughtfully, this, I’m afraid, can happen. Most couples have no idea of the potential pitfalls until the facts are laid out before them. As an example, if your will says a percentage of your estate is to be shared equally amongst your children, your step-children will get nothing unless you have o cially adopted them. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the same applies under the rules of intestacy. Mirror wills, where husbands and wives leave everything to each other, are actually fraught with danger in blended families. If you die rst, your spouse can make a new will and disinherit your children. Or if they remarry and their mirror will becomes invalid, again, your kids may be cut o . A good will writer or nancial adviser will ask the right questions and ensure that your real wishes are carried out fairly. Contact Heritage Will Writing on: 023 8087 9243 or email: info@heritagewillwriting. co.uk e Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) recently launched a new loan fund to fuel a green recovery of the Solent economy and lead the pathway to Net Zero in response to COP26. e £5M Solent Building Back Greener Loan Fund is now open for applications for loan funding of between £100K and £1M for capital projects which will help accelerate the commercialisation of low- carbon technology, innovations and systems to set the region, and the UK, on the path to a low carbon future. Councillor Dan Fitzhenry, Chair of the Solent LEP Net Zero Commission and Leader of Southampton City Council, said: “Following clear and urgent calls at COP26 to tackle the impact of climate change in every aspect of our lives, we’re re-shaping our funding at the Solent LEP to ensure our region can maximise opportunities to lead the way towards Net Zero and contribute to the critical journey to decarbonisation. The Solent Building Back Greener Loan will support an agile economy that is fit for the future and help build a greener, more innovative, and prosperous economy for all in the Solent. By investing inprojects to becomemore cost competitive or scale up, we can ensure low-carbon options are within the reach of many more people and that good ideas become a reality. We’re inviting applications for projects that will boost our region’s pathway to Net Zero, expand green growth, meet the green skills and training needed by employers, or strengthen the Solent region as a hotbed of innovation.” Applications are being invited from private sector businesses, further education colleges and universities, and social enterprises located in the Solent area. Funding is available for capital projects that can demonstrate a contribution towards achieving Net Zero that can start by the end of June 2022, with a view to being completed by March 2024. Priority will be given to applications for projects which align with the UK Government’s Eligible Green Expenditures to meet the objectives of: • e Protection and Restoration of Biodiversity and Ecosystems. • Sustainable use and Protection of Water and Marine Resources. • Climate Change Mitigation. e deadline for applications is Friday 14th January 2022 . Full details of the Loan Fund, including the bidding prospectus and supporting documents to be completed as part of the application process are available at: www.solentlep.org.uk/funding-hub/ solent-building-back-greener-loan-fund e Building Back Greener Loan Fund supports the Solent LEP’s developing Ten Point Plan for Building Back Greener in the Solent. Solent LEP announces Building Back Greener Loan