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Worryingly, 60 per cent of adults don’t have a Will and one in four don’t get round to writing one until they’re 55

Source: The Co-operative

The Yours Guide to Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney is designed to help you get your affairs in order. It explains the types of LPA and their features and why you need them, and also the importance of having a Will and what happens if you don’t make one.

What do LPAs do?

LPAs allow you to appoint a person or people you trust to make important decisions on your behalf should you ever be unable or unwilling to do so. There are two types: a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and a Health & Welfare LPA. Setting them up means decisions about your future health or money are in safe hands and gives you total reassurance – no one has the legal right to make decisions on your behalf without one. Without LPAs, your loved ones will have to go through the Court of Protection, so it makes sense to arrange them.

Why do I need a Will?

A Will is a legal document that allows you to clearly state what should happen to your assets when you die. It’s the only way you can determine how your assets and precious possessions are distributed after your death. Without one, your estate will be distributed in accordance with the laws of intestacy. These laws follow strict rules, so loved ones may not inherit anything at all.

QA recent issue of Yours Retro brought back a happy memory of a radio programme I used to listen to called Journey into Space. Can I still buy this series on CD?

S Chirgwin, Devon

Yours says Yes – you can order the CD from Amazon.co.uk for around £25. Alternatively, you can listen for free online or download onto an MP3 player via www. oldtimeradiodownloads. com. You’ll find many classic programmes on this website, all free to listen to.

QI’d like to donate a Christmas box to charity. Could you tell me which organisations I can send one to?

K Flack, Surrey

Yours says Get in touch with your local Refuge or Women’s Aid group as they may have an appeal for either gifts, donations or essentials. Support our Soldiers has also launched its Christmas Goody Box campaign, so you can send greetings for the season to our Forces overseas before midNovember.

■ Visit www.support oursoldiers.org.uk

QI recently had to make the heart-breaking decision to have my 19-year-old cat put to sleep. She’d been a constant companion throughout my life and I miss her dreadfully. My friends have been supportive but are now telling me to ‘just get a replacement’. But I didn’t realise my grief for her would be so painful. Is there anyone I can talk to? Name and address supplied Yours says The Paws to Listen support line is a free and confidential phone line from Cats Protection. Its trained volunteers can provide you with a sympathetic ear and their website features tools and advice on how to get through this difficult time.

■ Call 0800 024 9494 or visit www.cats.org.uk Q My bedding needs replacing, but I don’t like duvets. Can you help me find some traditional-style blankets?

K Foreman, by email

QMy mum needs help getting up and sitting down in her chair. A powered chair is far too expensive for us – is there something we can add to her own armchair that will make it easier?

H Ormerod, Scotland Yours says The UpEasy Power Seat is an electrically powered seat raiser that can convert your mum’s favourite armchair into a powered raiser-recliner. It can also be easily transported in a vehicle. Although not cheap, it’s a lot less than a powered chair. ■ Rrp £157.45 (exc VAT). Call 0333 016 0000 or visit www.complete careshop.co.uk