Herald - Issue 420

10th March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 55 v SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SPECIALISTS v ASK A PROFESSIONAL Sanders Design S E R V I C E S L T D BUILDING PLANS AND DETAILED DRAWING SERVICE Complete professional service for extensions, conversions, new houses and commercial projects • Computer Aided Design Drawings • Free Initial Visit and Quotation 95 Cedar Road, Hythe, Southampton SO45 3PX Tel: 023 8020 7195 Email: info@sandersdesignservices.co.uk Web: www.sandersdesignservices.co.uk Why am I Being Asked to Wait in the Waiting Room? by Lindsay Taylor, Associate Solicitor, CGM Solicitors Attending a solicitor’s o ce can be daunting for many individuals. I see many clients who wish to bring a family member or friend into a meeting. is might be to provide moral support, take notes or provide additional insight into a matter. I welcome this as it can be intense going through personal, nancial and particularly distressing matters. It is important that both during, and a er the appointment, clients feel supported. ere are some instances where this is not always the best course of action and I must request the family member or friend to step out for a moment. When and if I ask this, it is always for an important reason. As a solicitor, I have a professional obligation to ensure that I am taking my client’s unfettered instructions. ere are many instances of wills being overturned in expensive court proceedings as there is evidence of undue in uence. One example of this is a bene ciary overseeing the instructions and signing of a will. ere could be a good explanation for this such as the person changing their will (testator) wanting to be open with the family member what the changes are, or needing them read over the document due to poor eyesight. is person could also be an executor of the estate and the testator may wish the solicitor to explain everything to ensure that all involved in the will understand what will happen a er the testator dies. e problems come where the changes are in the bene ciary’s favour - or are to the detriment of someone not in the meeting. It is incredibly suspicious to an outsider (and certainly a judge!) looking at surface events and there is a risk of the new will being overturned. e important thing to note is it is not a solicitor’s intention to cast dispersions on any individual. is is a requirement of all solicitors as above all it is important that any hint of a challenge can be avoided. If a family member is asked to step out of the o ce, rest assured it is for the best of reasons. Lindsay Taylor is an Associate Solicitor based at our Hythe O ce. For your conveyancing and private client needs you can contact CGM Solicitors on: 023 8084 2765 for an appointment. Lindsay Taylor