Stephen Lawson has made a major contribution to clarifying UK law on will making in a new book, published by Oxford University Press
Stephen, who is a partner and head of litigation at Cheshire legal firm FDR Law, has joined with two other nationally-recognised experts in old age psychiatry and trusts to publish a new academic book ‘Testamentary Capacity: Law Practice and Medicine’.
As people live longer, the issue of establishing mental capacity when drawing up a Will has become an increasing focus for dispute and litigation. Written in collaboration with Robin Jacoby, Oxford University professor emeritus of old age psychiatry, and Martyn Frost, director of Trenfield Trust & Estate Consulting, the book is the first published work to concentrate solely on testamentary capacity.
Written for the UK’s many practitioners involved in drawing up Wills and trusts, the book includes specimen letters, notes and checklists, provides guidance on assessing and challenging mental capacity in wills, and offers helpful background information on old age psychiatry.
Stephen Lawson said: “I was delighted to be asked to contribute to this important book for the legal profession and to work with two other eminent experts in this field. I have noticed a significant rise in legal issues associated with mental capacity in recent years as people increasingly live longer, but not necessarily healthier, lives.
“I hope our book will help to clarify this important area of law for everyone involved in drawing up wills and managing trusts and estates.”
Stephen, who is based at FDR’s Frodsham office on High Street, has drawn on more than 30 years’ experience of working in litigation and contentious probate to write the book.
He currently represents North West solicitors, accountants, financial advisers and Will-writers on the Worldwide Council of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and was the inaugural chairman of its Cheshire branch, formed in 2010.
He is the only solicitor practising in the Warrington and Chester area who is a member of both STEP and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).
Testamentary Capacity: Law, Practice and Medicine is published on 19 March 2015 by Oxford University Press, priced £54.99. It can be ordered online from OUP at http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780198727521.do.
For more information call Stephen Lawson on 01925 230000
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