SEAN Boucher, Director and Head of Lifetime Planning – West Wales at JCP Solicitors, has been appointed as a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) ¾ becoming one of West Wales’ few industry-accredited Practitioners with the global professional body.
After passing the globally recognised STEP Diploma with distinction – consisting of written exams in Tax, Accounting, Administration of Trusts and Administration of Estates – Sean was granted full membership to STEP.
Now, Mr Boucher is encouraging local residents in Carmarthen and across Wales to ensure they always use qualified, accredited advisors for any matters of Wills and Trusts: STEP recently released its industry report, which found that unqualified advisors were costing clients thousands in legal fees.
In fact, in STEP’s study conducted throughout summer 2023, the professional body found that one in eight (79%) practitioners surveyed have come across a case of Wills with grave errors costing clients unnecessary legal fees. What’s more, a third of survey respondents saw cases where incompetence led to significant tax bills, with examples of tax charges in many instances of tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds. In a few cases, this was up to £2m.
Sean Boucher, Director and expert in this area of the law at JCP Solicitors, said: “Many aspects of Estate Planning are non-regulated, meaning anyone can write a Will, for example, regardless of training and expertise. This causes a number of problems as identified by the report from STEP.
“With a STEP-certified Trust and Estate Planner, you can be sure you are in safe hands as we are recognised experts in our field, having passed the exams to prove it. I am delighted to be joining STEP as a full member, and I look forward to continuing to lead JCP’s Lifetime Planning team here in West Wales as we support clients to get the best outcome for their Estate planning.”
Gaining the STEP accreditation means Sean – alongside 21,000 other accredited professionals and advisors across the UK – will be bound by the extensive Code of Professional Conduct which requires advisors to act with integrity at all times. STEP members can provide advice and guidance for clients, supporting families in West Wales with Wills, Trusts, and estate planning for future generations.
Find out more about JCP’s Lifetime Planning services in West Wales at jcpsolicitors.co.uk. Call Sean Boucher on 01267 248 986 or email sean.boucher@jcpsolicitors.co.uk.
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