Private Client (Estate Planning)
Students on the LPC gain only an outline understanding of Wills
and Probate. It is a core subject but the course is very short; it
is assessed in the context of Interviewing and there is no written
assessment. Many solicitors would find it useful to develop a more
detailed knowledge in this area.
The Private Client (Estate Planning) elective is of interest
both to those aiming to practise in larger firms with Private
Client departments, where the emphasis will be on tax and estate
planning, as well as to those going into High Street practice,
where the tax element may be of less importance but a thorough
grounding in a broad range of issues will be invaluable.
The elective covers:
- Basic principles of tax and estate planning - taxation and
other legal and practical implications
- Will drafting - both simple wills and more complex ones
involving the use of trusts
- Problems of capacity; Enduring and Lasting Powers of
Attorney
- Post death variations
- Family provision legislation
The issues arising in this field of practice will be set within
a practical context, through the use of case studies, with ample
opportunity to practise writing and drafting skills.
The content of the full-time and part-time course is identical,
but they are structured differently.