Alternatives to face to face appointments

We are always looking at ways to improve the service we offer to our customers. Even before Coronavirus restrictions were in place, we were finding that more and more people were moving away from traditional methods of arranging Wills and other documents, and we were frequently asked if a face-to-face appointment was necessary.

The conventional way we worked was to visit our clients at home to discuss their needs and to take instructions, but increasingly, people were too busy for a face-to-face meeting and preferred to arrange remote appointments.

Arranging a Will

Traditionally, after visiting clients at home and taking their instructions, a draft Will was emailed or posted for review and approval. Once our client was happy that the Will reflected their wishes the final Will was prepared and posted out for signature. We then checked that this had been done correctly.

The only part of the process that is different if instructions are given over the phone or during a Zoom appointment is the face-to-face part (of course you will still be asked to prove your ID as you have to in a face-to-face meeting). The rest of the process can continue in the same way as it would after a home visit.

We offer evening appointments for convenience – and these days most appointments will be held remotely, usually by phone or via a Zoom call, at a time to suit you; and we will afford you exactly the same high level of customer care as you would receive at a face-to-face meeting.

Arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney

Similarly, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) can be arranged by phone or during a Zoom call (and partially by email as well if that suits you). Instead of visiting you at home, taking instructions and asking you to sign the various sections in person, we can take instructions and discuss your needs by phone or on a Zoom call and post out the pages with clear instructions on where you/your witnesses need to sign. The pages that get sent to your attorneys will also be posted to them for signature (this is exactly what happens after a face-to-face appointment). We have successfully carried out appointments to prepare LPAs by phone and Zoom for customers as far away as Cornwall. There really is no need for you to be local for us to help you, and you will find that nationally our fees are very competitive – so asking A R K to help with LPAs remotely could be a really easy way for you to obtain the documents you need.

Arranging an appointment with A R K

At A R K we are more than happy to offer free advice, and in the busy world we live in, we’ll discuss your needs, take your instructions and offer our usual high standard of customer service in the way that best suits you and your family. We want our clients to have peace of mind – knowing they have organised their affairs in the simplest and easiest way possible.

To arrange an appointment, please call us on 01438 746977.

Alternatively, please fill out the form below to find out how we can help: