The value of a letter of wishes

When you’re planning your estate, your Will sets out the legal side of things, who gets what and who is responsible for carrying out your instructions.

However, the law alone doesn’t tell the whole story and that’s where a letter of wishes could prove useful to you.

Whilst not legally binding, it can give you the chance to explain decisions in your own words, offer guidance to executors and trustees and give loved ones clarity at what can be a difficult time, alongside the more formal matters in your Will.

What can a letter of wishes cover?

Your letter can provide extra detail to support your Will. For example, you can:

• Explain how you would like your executors to divide money or personal items
• Give trustees clear direction on how to manage any trusts you’ve set up
• Share why you have chosen certain people for key roles such as executor or trustee
• Set out your reasons for leaving (or excluding) someone from your Will — which can reduce the risk of future disputes

It’s your opportunity to make sure the people carrying out your wishes understand the thinking behind your decisions.

Can I include funeral wishes?

Yes. If you haven’t already told your family, a letter of wishes is a simple way to set out what you’d like for your funeral.

You might want to say whether you wish to be buried or cremated or even include details such as songs, hymns or readings. Writing it down helps take the burden of guesswork away from your family.

When should I write one?

The best time to write a letter of wishes is when you make your Will. Keeping them together ensures nothing gets lost and you can update your letter whenever your circumstances or your Will, change.

Unlike a Will, a letter of wishes doesn’t need witnesses, but it should always be signed and dated.

How Palmers Solicitors can help

A letter of wishes is a useful way to provide comfort and clarity for your family, but it works best when it is carefully thought through and tied in with your Will.

Our private client team can guide you through the process, helping you decide what to include and making sure your letter works hand in hand with your Will.

If you’d like to make a Will or add a letter of wishes, get in touch with our team today for clear, practical advice.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work. When that doesn’t happen and you begin to feel targeted by bullying or harassment, it can leave you unsure of what to do next.

Knowing your rights and the steps you can take can make the situation easier to navigate, which is why our team have outlined what to look out for if you feel you are being victimised.

Recognising bullying and harassment

Bullying at work can take many forms. Sometimes it is obvious, such as being constantly criticised, spoken to unfairly in front of colleagues or excluded from meetings.

Other times it can be less visible, like malicious rumours being spread or subtle favouritism that leaves you feeling isolated. Whatever shape it takes, this behaviour is not acceptable.

Harassment is closely linked but is specifically defined in law. Under the Equality Act 2010, if the treatment you are experiencing relates to characteristics such as your age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, pregnancy or gender reassignment, it may be classed as harassment.

In these cases, the law provides you with further protection.

Taking the first steps

If you believe you are experiencing bullying or harassment, the first step is to keep a record of what has been happening.

Writing down dates, times, what was said or done and who else was present can help you feel more confident in explaining the situation when the time comes.

It may then help to check your workplace policies. Most employers have clear procedures setting out how complaints should be raised and who you can talk to.

For some people, this might be their manager, but if you do not feel comfortable doing that, you may be able to speak to HR or another senior colleague instead.

Some workplaces even have a named individual whose role is to handle these kinds of concerns.

Raising a concern can feel daunting, but you are not alone. Many people find it helpful to talk it through first with a trusted colleague, a union representative or a professional adviser.

What to expect when you speak up

Once you do raise your concern, your employer has a responsibility to handle it fairly.

They should listen to you respectfully, keep everything confidential, explain what happens next and make sure the issue is investigated properly.

If you have seen someone else being treated badly, you also have the right to raise this and your employer should take it just as seriously.

Bullying and harassment can have a huge impact on your wellbeing and confidence and it should never be ignored.

Speaking up can feel difficult, but by doing so you not only protect yourself, you also help create a workplace where everyone can feel safe and respected.

How Palmers Solicitors can help

If you are facing bullying or harassment at work and are unsure of your rights or the best way forward, our employment law specialists at Palmers Solicitors can provide confidential advice and guidance.

We can help you understand your options, support you through the process and make sure your concerns are taken seriously.

Get in touch with our team today to talk about your situation in confidence.

When a marriage breaks down, most people focus on the family home or immediate finances.

Yet pensions are often the largest asset of all and one of the easiest to overlook. We regularly see how vital it is to understand what happens to pensions in a divorce.

Failing to consider them properly could leave one spouse without the retirement security they deserve.

Why pensions matter in divorce

For many families, one spouse builds up a pension while the other spends years raising children or working part-time.

Ignoring pensions in a divorce settlement risks leaving one party without long-term financial security.

The courts recognise this which is why pensions must be considered alongside other assets such as property and savings.

How pensions can be divided

There are two main approaches:

• Offsetting – One spouse keeps their pension while the other takes a larger share of another asset such as the family home. This approach was common before the introduction of pension sharing.
• Pension sharing – The pension itself is divided between the parties through a court order. This can provide a fairer long-term outcome as assets like property may not offer the same retirement security.

A pension sharing order can also create a “clean break” giving each person financial independence moving forward.

Since the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999, pension sharing has been available in divorce cases.

The Law Commission has even suggested making this the default option to ensure fairness but for now couples must apply to the court for a pension sharing order.

That is why getting specialist advice early in the process is essential. Without it you could lose out on what may be your most significant financial asset.

Planning ahead

If you are facing the prospect of divorce, here are a few things to consider:

• Apply early – A pension sharing order should be dealt with during or immediately after divorce proceedings to avoid uncertainty.
• Think long term – Retirement savings often outweigh the value of other assets in the future.
• Consider pre-nuptial agreements – These can set out how pensions will be divided if the marriage breaks down though a court order is still required at divorce.

Adding pensions to an already complex situation can provide additional stress, but it is  important that you don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Historically, many women have found themselves with diminished pension pots due to their contributions to the family in other areas, so they should particularly pay attention to a potential claim during financial settlement.

How Palmers can help

Pensions are complicated but you do not have to tackle them alone. Our experienced family law solicitors guide clients through financial settlements with clarity and compassion.

We aim to help you avoid unnecessary disputes and secure a fair outcome that protects your future.

If you are separating or already going through divorce proceedings, do not leave your pension out of the conversation. Contact Palmers today to make sure your retirement security is safeguarded.

We are delighted to share that Palmers has once again been recognised in the Legal 500 rankings, with listings in seven different practice areas.

This year is particularly special for us, as we’ve moved up in Family law to Tier 3 and entered the rankings for Contentious Probate for the very first time.

The Legal 500 is an independent guide that highlights the UK’s leading legal talent and we’re proud that our work across such a broad range of services continues to be acknowledged.

We have been ranked in the following areas:

• Family – Tier 3 (up from Tier 4 last year)
• Contentious Probate – new entry, Tier 4
• Commercial Litigation – Tier 2, with Luke Morgan recognised again as a Next Generation Partner
• Construction – Tier 2, with Adam Davis named as a Leading Partner
• Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate – Tier 2, with Helen Jago again ranked as a Leading Partner
• Corporate and Commercial – Tier 3, with Matthew Johnson again listed as a Leading Associate
• Commercial Property – Tier 2

For us, the most rewarding part of the Legal 500 is that the rankings are based on client and peer feedback. That means these results reflect the trust people place in us – something that motivates us every day.

Palmers has been part of the Essex community for more than 40 years and these rankings show that our mix of legal expertise and personal service continues to make a difference to our clients.

We’re incredibly proud of our teams and grateful to everyone who supported us throughout the process. This recognition inspires us to keep raising the bar and building on the progress we’ve made.

With offices in Basildon, Thurrock, South Woodham Ferrers, Rayleigh and now Chelmsford, we’re here to help you with all your legal needs.

If you’d like to speak to one of our experts, please get in touch at enquiries@palmerslaw.co.uk.