Powers of attorney

How would your family and friends manage if you developed a condition such as dementia or had a sudden life-changing accident leaving you incapable of making decisions about your own financial affairs and welfare arrangements?

The kinds of illness which might prevent you from making decisions for yourself include:

• dementia;
• mental health problems;
• brain injury;
• alcohol or drug misuse;
• the side effects of medical treatment;
• a severe learning disability; &
• stroke.

One way of dealing with the situation is for your loved ones to apply to a court for permission to access your finances and make decisions about your health and welfare. However, this can be a long and costly process and the court may have to supervise your affairs for the rest of your life.

The need to involve the court in this way can be avoided by making a legal document known as a power of attorney.

For anything further, one of our specialists would be delighted to meet you either in our office or in your own home to talk through your requirements and answer any questions. Please contact us at any time.