Need to know

• High street lawyers help people protect what they own by setting up wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs).

• These documents aren’t “one-size-fits-all,” lawyers tailor them to each person’s unique situation.

• If someone dies without a will, the law decides who gets what, and it might not match what the person actually wanted.

Welcome to TSL’s Weekly Edge, whether you’re aiming for a regional or high-street practice, or just want to get a feel for how law works in the real world beyond textbooks, you’re in the right place. 

No corporate jargon, no massive deals, just real useful information designed to give you that extra edge in your legal journey.

🧠Wilson’s Weekly Wisdom

It’s okay to want a career that fits your life.

There used to be this unspoken rule that if you wanted to be a solicitor, you had to accept a life of late nights, last-minute deals, and living at your desk. And yes, that reality still exists, especially in the big City firms. But it’s not the only version of the profession.

Since the pandemic, many high street and regional firms have taken real steps to value work-life balance. I’m a morning person, so I’m usually (somewhat cheerfully) online by 7:20am. But some of my colleagues? If you see them before 9am, it’s a miracle. It works because the culture allows for that flexibility.

Not every firm is as flexible in the same way. Some offer remote working. Others offer condensed hours or better support for parents and carers. The key point? Wanting a career that works for your life isn’t selfish, it’s smart.

You don’t have to choose between doing meaningful legal work and having a life outside of it. So don’t let Suits or LinkedIn hustle culture convince you that success only comes in 16-hour days.

💡Spotlight Article

When someone falls ill or passes away without proper estate planning, it can create a lot of unnecessary stress for their loved ones. 

That is why valid legal documents, like a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or a will, are so important.

🔎What’s happening? 

 What is an LPA?

An LPA allows someone the client has chosen, known as their attorney, to make decisions on their behalf when and where they otherwise can’t. 

LPAs are primarily sought by elderly clients, who are at greater risk of experiencing declining health, be it mental or physical.

There are two different types of LPAs:

1. A Health and Welfare LPA which allows the chosen person(s) to make decisions about their medical treatment and living conditions.

2. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA which allows the chosen person(s) to make decisions about assets, such as collecting income, paying bills and how their property is used, be it renting or selling it.

Read more about LPAs

What is a will?

A will is a legal document which points out what should happen to a client’s assets, such as actual property or money, after their death. 

Other matters must also be taken care of, for example, selecting executors and naming guardians for any children under the age of 18.

You might think wills are usually for the older folks, but they can actually be helpful for just about anyone. For example, award-winning British singer Amy Winehouse passed away at age 27 without a will. 

She had millions in her estate, but since she didn’t have a will, it all went to her parents according to intestacy rules. Any wishes she might’ve had didn’t count legally.

Read more about Amy Winehouse’s story

If there is no will, the law decides how your estate gets shared out, and it might not be shared out to whom you had in mind. This can really stir up trouble and cause disagreements among and with the people you care about!

A will is very important:

• If you’ve got young children, so you can decide who’ll look after them.

• If you’ve a lot of assets or money, so the matter of inheritance tax can be more easily sorted, and

• If you’re not married to your partner, so you make sure they’re ok financially if you pass away.

❓ Why it matters to high street firms

High street lawyers can help everyday people protect what they own by setting up wills and LPAs that are solid and legal. 

They’re the go-to persons because they tweak these documents to each person’s unique situation, which is why people rely on them!

Estate planning solicitors also make sure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed when you sign those papers. 

With their knowledge and caring attitude, clients can feel confident that all their property is protected.

Think of a single dad who wants to make sure his family’s looked after when he’s gone. A proper will lets him spell out exactly what he wants to happen, such as choosing someone to take care of his children.

Intestacy Rules

The rules are set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925 and the Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014. 

These rules will decide who can get your property, money, and any other assets if you pass away without a valid will.

There is a specific priority order:

First, your spouse.

Followed by your children.

Then your parents.

And if none of the above are around, then, and only then, will your distant relatives be considered.

It’s very important to note that under these rules, if no family can be found, the government gets everything!