A Kingsbridge company has offered to waive fees during a week in September on condition that clients make a donation to Citizens Advice South Hams.

Start Point Law will be reducing the fees for writing wills during the week of 18th-24th September, resulting in big savings for clients and a boost to the local charity that has been advising Kingsbridge residents on a range of problems including employment support allowance, disability, and housing benefit each Tuesday morning at Quay House.

Other solicitor practices in the South Hams are also waiving their fees during that week in support of Citizens Advice. These include SW Law in Ivybridge and Wollen Michelmore Solicitors in Dartmouth.

Teens Barrett, the advice services manager at Citizens Advice South Hams said: “We have seen a rise in intestate inquiries, when people die without making a will. If that happens rules dictate how their money, property or possessions should be allocated, and potentially not in the way the deceased would have wished.”

She continued: “Unmarried partners and partners who have not registered a civil partnership cannot inherit from each other unless there is a will. This can cause loved ones huge distress as well as potential financial difficulties. I would urge anyone who has been thinking about making a will and hasn’t got around to doing so to act now”.

Chris Hall, a trustee at Citizens Advice South Hams added: “We are very grateful to all of the solicitors who are supporting us during Wills Week. Many people don’t realise we are a charity and that we rely on grants and charitable donations.”

He continues: “Without help like this and the trained volunteers who give so much of their time, we wouldn’t be able to continue with our vital work”.

To make an appointment contact any of the practices taking part and quote Citizens Advice Wills Week or if you are a client of Citizens Advice talk to one of their advisors.

The offer is only available to those who wish to make a simple will which would typically include basic gifts of cash, property, assets or family heirlooms to beneficiaries. Suggested donations to Citizens Advice would be £50 for an individual or £75 for a joint will. Appointments do need to be made, so anyone thinking of taking the offer up is advised to book early.

For more information, contact Janie Moor, manager at Citizens Advice South Hams at: Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE [email protected], telephone 01803 869 231.