Elderly Client Services
LEGAL SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE IN SHEFFIELD
The legal issues surrounding older people, their families and their carers are becoming more complex. It is therefore extremely important to seek specialist legal advice on elderly client services which will should help avoid the problems which can arise as people get older.
At Sheffield Solicitors we have a specialist elder law team which is experienced in providing sensitive advice on such matters such as Powers of Attorney, the management and protection of assets, Court of Protection applications and effective planning for long-term care.
We provide a discreet and caring service to all members of the family and provide a full range of services for our elderly clients. We can arrange home visits if necessary and we always ensure that we build a trusting relationship with our clients.
There are two forms of Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) which both cost £150 to register . The forms of LPA are as follows;
- Property and Affairs LPA – this allows your attorney to make decisions about your finances, such as selling your home or managing your bank accounts.
- Personal welfare LPA – this allows your attorney to make decisions about both health and personal welfare, such as where to live, day-to-day care or having medical treatment.
If you have elderly parent(s) who probably already is lacking capacity then we can advise you now on what to do to appoint an attorney to deal with their affairs.
Court of Protection
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which enables a person who lacks the capacity to make their own legal decisions to appoint another person who they absolutely trust to act on their behalf.
The introduction of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 created substantial changes in regards to Powers of Attorney. The aim of the framework is to award more decision making powers to the person considered lacking in capacity.
These changes led to the introduction of two different types of power, each one needing explicit court permission before being carried out by the agent. The Property and Affairs branch deals with decisions about how to spend the elderly person’s money and the way their property affairs are managed.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA):
• Property and Affairs LPA – Appointed person awarded authority to deal with the client’s finances and the way their propety affairs are managed
• Personal Welfare LPA – Appointed person awarded power to give instructions in relation to care, welfare and treatment if mental capacity is lost.
Trust Advice
A trust is created when one person (the beneficiary) gives to the other (the trustee) property to hold on his behalf.
Trusts can be created during a person’s life and can be activated during a person’s lifetime or upon death.
There are a variety of trusts which our lawyers can set up depending on your own personal needs:
• Bare Trusts
• Charitable Trusts
• Discretionary Trusts
• Life Interest Trusts
Trust Administration
When the trust has been formed, trustees have a duty of care to manage the trust in the best interests of the beneficiaries.
Sheffield solicitors assist in the management and closely monitor the trust to ensure compliance with all regulations and duties imposed on trustees.
We can assist with:
• Tax Returns
• Annual Accounts
• Record keeping, including trustees’ meetings and resolutions
• Advising on trustees’ duties and responsibilities
If you require further help then please contact our experienced solicitors to help you.