Spring is a time when many of us sort through our belongings, give our houses a clean and tidy up the garden. So, it makes sense to take some time to do the same for your legal paperwork to make sure everything is up to date and reflecting your correct legal position.
Here are some areas to cover in a legal paperwork spring clean.
Separation or divorce
This is a topic that can fester and cause great damage to all parties involved if left unresolved for too long. If you feel that you would like to seek a divorce or formalise a separation, don’t put things off and secure some professional legal help from a family solicitor now. If children are involved, now is a good time to start the discussions, as the long school summer holidays are still a way off and you can work out arrangements for their care sooner rather than later. The lighter spring days can also offer much solace in spending time outdoors to soothe your mind and re-energise you for the legal meetings, mediations and paperwork ahead.
Child arrangements
Following on from the subject of divorce and separation, agreeing on arrangements concerning any children from a broken-down relationship is vital to sort out properly, and without delay. From custody and visitation rights to maintenance payments and holiday plans, now is a good time to sort these crucial areas of life out. Equally, if you are in the process of adopting or fostering a child, spring is a good time to take a step back to assess where you are along the pathway and to check that all paperwork has been completed, analysed and correctly filed.
Business arrangements
A business that is not up to date with its paperwork can soon find itself in a mess. So, take time this spring to make sure your accounts are complete, that you have drawn up proper contracts with employees, suppliers and clients and that any assets belonging to the business have the right paperwork associated with them. A solicitor can help you make sure that you have dotted the corporate i’s and crossed the commercial t’s – don’t leave it too late to get your business affairs in order.
Property portfolios
Owning a property can be a great way to build up savings and enjoy an investment grow over the years. However, it can be all too easy to focus on the practical, day-to-day running of your property and neglect the legal red tape that comes with it. Set up regular appointments with a solicitor to make sure you are complying with all legal obligations and taking advantage of all tax breaks and other financial incentives that could be available to you as the landlord.
Wills
Finally, although this document centres around what happens at the very end of life, when you die, it should be one of the very first things you set up. Dying intestate can cause untold problems and heartbreak for those you leave behind, and it is especially important to write a Will if you have dependents who will need to be looked after once you are gone. Writing a Will is simple and can be done by a family solicitor, who will make sure it is worded correctly, legally valid and properly witnessed. You can stipulate what you would like to happen to your money, property and belongings, as well as give instructions about appointing guardians for dependents, charity donations and ongoing care for pets.