You may have a will… but is it legally valid?

In 1999 Alfred Rawlings and his wife Maureen made their wills and signed them in front of their solicitor.  But there was one small problem… they signed each others’ wills by mistake. 

Maureen passed away in 2003; but it wasn’t until Alfred died three years later that the problem came to light.  This simple clerical error had made both wills invalid.  Unfortunately, the wills were contentious, and a very public legal battle ensued!

But although this particular case hit the national headlines, this isn’t an isolated incident.  Some estimates suggest that 40% of wills are legally invalid, often due to errors in how the will was signed or witnessed.

If you’ve taken care over your financial matters in life, it’s a sobering thought that an invalid will could put all your careful financial planning in jeopardy.

So, we’ve arranged for two highly-respected Plymouth law firms to offer Manning and Company clients a will review, absolutely free of charge.

Inspiring the extraordinary

By Paul Northmore, Managing Director, Manning and Company

You might believe that managing your finances is all about reducing life’s risks – for example, taking out life insurance, or critical illness cover, or a fixed-rate mortgage.

Security is certainly a part of it; but it’s not the whole story. 

Good financial management puts you in charge of your money, not the other way around.  Your money is there to help you achieve your dreams, whatever that means for you.

But it’s not only money that can make dreams happen – it’s having the right opportunities, and being inspired. 

That’s why at Manning and Company we like to get behind those who are doing something amazing, and particularly those who are inspiring and equipping the next generation; which is why we’re supporting two local ‘inspirers’ – The Plymouth University Raiders, and Antony Jinman.

If it’s to be...

by Steve Manning, Founder, Manning and Company

A great modern business and life philosopher taught me, quite a number of years ago, that "If it’s to be…it’s up to me". I totally agree.

Of course, much that impacts us throughout life comes from external sources. While we can’t control many of those things, we can control how we react, and how we prepare.

This applies to all aspects of life – for example, relationships; health, wealth and happiness; or state of mind.

In many ways it has become so much more difficult just to cope with day-to-day life. We are conditioned to achieve so much; encouraged to own so much; and until recently, to borrow so much - and by doing so, to achieve ‘great happiness’ in the process.

Annunities: the gamble of your life

By Mike LeGassick, Independent Financial Adviser, Manning and Company

When planning your retirement, you may worry that you will outlive your income.  It’s understandable, as we’re all generally living longer and enjoying better health. 

For some, an annuity is the answer.  An annuity is an insurance product, bought on retirement with the money saved in your pension pot.  It pays you a regular sum for as long as you live.

But annunities come with a very significant risk.  You are gambling that you will live long enough to receive back as much as you paid in.