Happy Anniversary!

QualitySolicitors FDC Law invite you to celebrate with us.

This month QualitySolicitors FDC Law will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary. All clients who instruct us in December 2012 will automatically be placed into a draw with ten lucky winners receiving a bottle of pink bubbly to mark this special occasion.

FDC Law is incredibly proud that it can trace its heritage back to 1692 when Mr James Wickham opened up the Daniel & Cruttwell side at Frome. In 1904 Mr Henry Faulkner opened the office that became Faulkners moving into Midsomer Norton in 1936.

On the 19th November 2002 Daniel and Cruttwell merged with Faulkners to form FDC Law. Since then we have joined national brand QualitySolicitors becoming QualitySolicitors FDC Law earlier this year. This alliance gives FDC Law an unrivalled network from which to serve our clients on a national basis if required while maintaining the hands on approach we hold so dear.

James Hollis, Senior Partner says “We are an independent high street practice. We believe people value being able to talk to a real person on the high street. These days there is a strong focus on call centre based national brands, but the sort of service they can provide is far from the level of hands-on service we offer. We hope local people will value the service we provide so we can be here serving the community for the next 300 years.”

QualitySolicitors FDC Law, proudly serving Somerset for over 300 years.

Free Information Event at Frome Library

On Wednesday 17th October, James Hollis and Stewart Donald of our Frome office provided a presentation at an event at Frome Library, held in conjunction with Kelly Hall of the local charity Positive Action on Cancer and the local charity Open Story Tellers


The meeting was well supported, it was great to see so many local people there. Both charities were able to explain the benefits that legacies would make to their operations locally. Our team talked about matters which should be borne in mind in making a will, what can happen if you do not make a will,  tax opportunities that may be taken and steps that can be taken to safeguard assets where one member of a couple has to go into residential care.
There were many questions from the floor. James and Stewart, and other members of FDC Law's Private Client department, look forward to seeing many of the guests again, to provide further help and support in making a will.

Quality Solicitors FDC Law: Supporting the Frome Carnival

We were delighted to see so many Frome residents and visitors at the Carnival on 22nd September.

Senior Partner James Hollis together with other members of staff was to be found selling carnival programmes during the day, and enjoying meeting friends and neighbours, old and new.

James Hollis and friends, Frome Carnival

James commented that "FDC Law have always played a very active role in the local community, and while our name has changed, our commitment to our community hasn't. We enjoy being a part of the Carnival."

 

QualitySolicitors FDC Law is a proud sponsor of the Frome Carnival, and of other local events.

‘Will week’ at Midsomer Norton shop

Shoppers in Midsomer Norton are being offered an extra bargain at their local Barnardo’s shop next week.
They can have a new Will written free of charge as part of a new fundraising scheme organised by the children’s charity.
Barnardo’s Will Week is an exclusive partnership with local firm QualitySolicitors FDC Law who will be offering free and impartial advice.
A representative will be at shop in The Hollies, High Street, from Monday to Friday, October 1-5, from 1-2pm.

Barnardo’s hopes the free service will encourage supporters to remember the charity in their Will, but there is no obligation to do so.

Barnardo’s shop manager Angie Cruickshank said: “Almost half of the charity’s income from the general public is donated through Wills, and the money raised is vital to continue our work with vulnerable children.
“The scheme aims to make more people aware of the benefits of writing and – after provision is made for loved ones – to consider remembering Barnardo’s as well.”

Angie added: “We always welcome donations of good-quality clothes, books, toys and games, as well as offers of help from potential volunteers, so we hope this new scheme will encourage even more people to visit us.“Working together, we can help disadvantaged children to turn their life around.”

For further information on Barnardo’s Will Week, visit www.barnardos.org.uk/freewill or call 0208 498 7880. The free will-writing service is available to people aged 55 or older.

To volunteer at the Midsomer Norton shop, call (01761) 411541.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are used everyday to help people with their finances. You can choose someone you trust, who can then be given the power to sort things out for you like collecting your pension, arranging to pay the bills and arranging for your care.

LPAs are particularly useful should you suffer a sudden or progressive illness which limits your mental capacity to make decisions, such as dementia or a stroke.

If you think that this article does not apply to you, think again. Here are some facts that may change your mind:-

1. Over 800,000 people in the UK currently have dementia
2. By 2021 over a million people will become sufferers of this illness.
3. Approximately 11,000 people each year suffer severe brain injury
4. There are currently 10 million people in the UK living with a neurological condition which has a significant impact on their lives
5. Each year 600,000 people are diagnosed with a neurological condition 

It is also a sad fact that Elder Abuse is becoming increasingly common. This sort of abuse can be physical, psychological or financial. An LPA is one of the best ways to protect against financial abuse.  You can appoint separate Attorneys to manage your financial affairs, from your welfare and healthcare decisions.

Why not contact us for further information and advice?

Will Aid

Will Aid is a fundraising campaign run by nine leading UK charities which takes place in November each year.  The campaign encourages people to have their Will written professionally, whilst at the same time donating to the charities involved.

During November, participating solicitors write basic Wills for clients. Instead of charging their usual fees, solicitors invite clients to donate to "Will Aid." 

The total sum raised during November 2011 was £2.1m in donations.   FDC Law Midsomer Norton office made a small contribution by raising £3,105.

FDC saw approximately 30 "appointments" – some were single people, but most were couples and, although obviously some people did see it as a way of getting a cheap will, most clients were also very appreciative of the fact that the firm was giving my time for free in order to raise money for charity.   

It was surprising the distances people travelled to our office to use this service rather than their local solicitors – from Bath, Bradford on Avon and Salisbury.

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