Pictured above: Members of the MFG specialist team for the over-50s: Sally Morris, head of employment, family law partner Gurdip Kaur-Brring, head of residential conveyancing Peter Simner and head of the private client division Fiona Barnes

Leading Midland law firm MFG Solicitors has launched a new service for the over 50s and brought in legal experts equipped to deal with a wide range of issues.

The service is thought to be unique to MFG Solicitors and partner Fiona Barnes, head of the private client division and a member of Solicitors for the Elderly, said it recognised that the over-50s were likely to have problems which needed especially sensitive handling.

"We believe that the best way of approaching planning for the future is for the different advisers to work together so that you get the whole picture - not just pieces of the puzzle.

 "Medical and health advances mean that we are all, on average, living longer than our predecessors - but many older people have concerns about current problems, or planning for their or their family's future needs, while some may be increasingly vulnerable to physical and mental weakness.

"There are likely to be a wide range of issues to address - not just wills and probate - and many may have difficulty understanding the issues or communicating their wishes." 

MFG Solicitors has pulled together its specialists and in many cases a free home visit will be made to those with mobility difficulties.  Documentation can be provided in large print on request.

Fiona Barnes continued: "An older person may be worried about protecting family wealth in the event that an adult child gets divorced - or how to go about keeping in touch with grandchildren. 

"Given the price of property parents may wish to help their child on to the property ladder but need advice on the best way to achieve this - whether gift, loan or investment. 

"Equity release to unlock capital or provide an income is different from the mortgage a younger person may take out and needs careful consideration.

"An older business owner may be concerned about succession planning - particularly if this may include bringing in a new shareholder or partner.

"The kind of dispute facing an older person - whether sorting out the estate of someone who has died without a will, worried about discrimination in the workplace or obtaining healthcare, making a claim following a fall or complaining about poor consumer service - can sometimes involve a specific approach.

"We recognise this and have the skills and experience to deal with it." 

Fiona Barnes added that MFG Solicitors was keen to ensure that older people and their families received the best possible advice when in need of care at home or in a residential or nursing care setting.

"Several members of our team can advise on planning ahead, on the assessment and funding issues and on challenging decisions by the NHS or local authorities."