If you are finding it more difficult to manage your day-to-day affairs, or you are concerned that problem might arise in the future, you would be wise to consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This involves appointing people you trust to make decisions for you, should you later lose the ability to make them for yourself.
If a person has lost capacity before making an LPA, then an application to the Court of Protection may be necessary. The Court of Protection is a specialist Court that makes decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions for themselves.
A Deputy is appointed by the Court of Protection with authority to manage the affairs or make decisions for a person who can no longer do this for themselves.
Financial decision making
A Property and Financial Afffairs Deputy can deal with the wide range of practical issues that arise, when a person has lost capacity to manage their own finances; such as paying bills, opening or closing accounts, securing their income, buying, selling or renting property, settling care home fees. A relative or friend can take on this role. If there is no suitable person available, the Court may appoint a professional Deputy, such as a solicitor, who is experienced in Deputyship work.
Statutory wills
When a person loses capacity to make a will, and they have either never made a will, or their existing will needs reviewing, it may be appropriate to apply to the Court of Protection for a Statutory Will (a will authorised and approved by the Court). We offer advice and representation in all aspects of Statutory Will proceedings.
Financial disputes
Differences in opinion can arise between family members, or between family and professionals, as to whether a person has the necessary mental capacity to make a decision themselves, and if not, what measures would then be in that person's best interests. Occasionally the dispute results in an application to the Court, and our advisers provide specialist advice and representation throughout the Court proceedings.
We support clients to:
- Be appointed as Deputies, to manage property and finances for a friend or relative
- Fulfil their duties as Deputies, such as filing annual accounts or tax returns
- Make additional Court applications, e.g. seeking approval for property sales or purchases, gifts or Statutory Wills
Our team includes three professional Deputies, (all of whom are appointed to the Office of the Public Guardian specialist panel), as well as case workers. Together we can deal with all aspects of a person’s financial affairs, where there is no suitable relative or friend to act.
It is important to us to support and empower people to make as many decisions for themselves as possible, in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We consult closely with family and friends when making decisions in the best interests of the person.
We have been recognised for the work we do

The first report of Donna Ockenden and her team into the review of maternity services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has been published today.

For part 1 in this series of short podcasts, Chris Lloyd-Smith interviews solicitor Puja Desai on how she has been coping during these unprecedented times.

It was announced by the Government on 16 July 2020 that the implementation of Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) has been delayed until April 2022. No date has been set, with April 2022 being described as the “aim for full implementation”.

We are delighted to announce that our private wealth law department has maintained its position in Band 2 in the Birmingham and surrounds area in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners High Net Worth.

Making an application to the Court of Protection to make or change a Will for someone who is not able to do this themselves due to lacking mental capacity.

The Court of Protection is very important as it ensures that people who lack capacity are safeguarded.

I have been qualified as a Court of Protection Solicitor for almost ten months now and I absolutely love my job.

On 9 April 2020, the DHSC issued guidance for hospitals, care homes and supervisory bodies regarding the MCA and DoLS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 establishes a solid foundation on which a derogation from Articles 5 and 8 is essential, says Hayden J in the case of BP v Surrey County Council and another [2020] EWCOP 17.

The Coronavirus Act does not change the need to comply with the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) or the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) regime.
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