Newport-based legal firm Bellavia & Associates is now offering unrivalled advice to older and vulnerable clients.
Leading later life planning expert Claire Davis has recently joined the company as its senior consultant solicitor.
A qualified solicitor since 1985, Claire is Newport born and bred and has been specialising in later life planning for more than 30 years.
She is the only Welsh director of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), the organisation responsible for upholding and improving the quality of the legal care available to the older population in the UK.
SFE will be launching Update Your Will Week next Monday, and Claire will be leading on the campaign for Bellavia & Associates.
Claire specialises in providing a wide range of Wills advice for families, including where a partner has been diagnosed with dementia, protecting the interests of vulnerable children, second marriages, powers of attorney, and inheritance tax issues.
Claire said:
“I offer a complete, rounded service for individuals and families.
“When I use the term ‘vulnerable’, I mean people with issues around capacity – so not just elderly people but also, for instance, adults and children with learning difficulties.
“I also deal with people who are remarrying and want to protect the rights of their children, trusts for wealthier people who want to give some money away but maintain control of the process, and inheritance tax advice.
“I am passionate about what I do. It is so important that people in these situations get the right advice because the results of not being advised correctly can be devastating.”
Claire also uses her own life experiences, including her mother’s Alzheimer’s Disease, in the way she talks to and advises people.
“My own experiences mean I can talk to people and families with similar issues on a level they understand,” she said.
“I try to advise people using plain English rather than complicated legal terms.
“My role is to give people options and advise them on the best course of action given their individual circumstances.
“Everyone is different and has different needs and it is so important to treat people with respect, dignity and understanding.”
Claire is also playing a key role at Bellavia & Associates in helping to produce the next generation of lawyers:
“It is so important that trainee and newly-qualified solicitors can learn from listening and watching. They come on appointments with me, and I am always there for advice and support.”
Bellavia & Associates managing director Zep Bellavia said:
“We are very lucky to have someone with Claire’s experience and expertise working with us. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and her directorship of SFE means we and our clients have access to unrivalled expertise.
“Claire is also playing a crucial role in mentoring and advising our younger members of staff.”
