As we become older it is only natural that our thoughts will turn to making plans for our life ahead.
At Mark Reynolds Solicitors, we understand that seeking advice for later life can often seem a daunting experience. It is our goal to provide help, support and legal advice in a professional, sensitive and patient way. Our solicitors use plain English and will spend as much time as is needed to make sure that our team of solicitors can guide you to ensure that you achieve the best outcome.
How can our Later Life team help you?
With many years experience gained acting on behalf of older clients and their families we are confident that our solicitors have the range of skills to address most problems that will be encountered. Typically our clients will require assistance with the following:
A Will is a legal document that sets out how you would like your estate to be dealt with after you have died. If a person does not make a Will then they will die “intestate” and the estate may not pass to those persons intended.
By making a Will, you will typically be able to set out your funeral preferences, appoint the executors who you would like to administer your estate, provide gifts or money or personal belongings to friends, family members or charity and ultimately decide what will happen to your assets after your death.
Whilst the general population continues to enjoy an increased life expectancy, it is also a consequence that deteriorating mental health in later life is becoming more apparent with illnesses such Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease becoming more commonly diagnosed. These illnesses can, in the longer term detrimentally impact our capacity and, therefore, the ability to legally make decisions that may affect us directly.
When planning for the future ahead it is important to consider what you would like to happen in the event you could no longer make decisions for yourself. In order for someone to legally make decisions on your behalf then a lasting power of attorney will be needed. The benefit of a power of attorney is the peace of mind that someone you trust will be able to act for you providing peace of mind that your best interests will be the primary concern.
Should a family member or close friend have already been diagnosed with a mental illness or have lost their capacity through illness or injury then we can assist with a request to the Court of Protection for the appointment relative or friend to become a Deputy to manage either financial matters or make health and welfare decisions.
Although understandably, many people hold strong views about moving into a care home in some situations it is unavoidable. Moving into a care home may be necessary because specialist care may be required or simply we are no longer able to look after ourselves at home.
We can discuss with you the pros and cons of moving to a care home or staying in your own home without side support and would be happy to work with you in setting up a care package for your home that would suit your needs.
Our team can help with the process of choosing a care home, reviewing care home contracts and help with the best methods of paying for care for those who are self-funders.
We can help our clients when submitting or challenging claims for Nursing Contributions and NHS Continuing Care.