Reasons You May Consult An Elderly Care Legal Expert
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012Legal issues always arise when it comes to caring for older members of the family, something that is not always remembered. In fact, specialist elderly care lawyers are usually involved from an early stage to help make any transitions your loved one has to make easier on the whole family.
Here are some of the issues that solicitors will deal with that specialise in elderly care.
Powers of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document. This will contain information of someone that is appointed to make decisions for someone that is not able to do so due to mental or physical incapacity. There are two kinds of powers of attorney: health & welfare and property & financial affairs. A health and welfare power of attorney basically makes decisions to do with a person’s well being. This includes healthcare, medical treatment and where they live. A property and financial affairs power of attorney can deal with collecting benefits on behalf of the person, as well as paying bills and organising sale of estate for example.
Court of Protection
A court of protection is able to appoint deputies that can help make important and basic decisions for someone that is no longer mentally capable to do so themselves. If the court of protection does appoint a deputy, this person will then have to show they are able to make decisions for the person in question, by supplying a range of personal information.
Long-term care
Most people will know that long-term residential care for the elderly will incur some very high costs. There are different ways that you can ease the financial burden of caring for an elderly loved one, an elderly care lawyer can help you identify and enact these methods.
Having a detailed plan to help you look after an elderly relative can not only ease financial burdens, but ensure that there is as little stress as possible in worst case scenarios. A wills and probate lawyer for example can draw up plans for living wills, appointing powers of attorney, Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning and also distribution of estate. The main goal for specialist lawyers and solicitors in this area is to ensure that the wishes of your loved ones are preserved, as well as helping you prepare for a potentially stressful and distressing time.
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