Elderly & Vulnerable Clients

Whether as a result of a catastrophic injury or the progress of a degenerative condition such as dementia, a person may lose the mental capacity to manage their own financial affairs. Bell & Buxton can help with contingency planning by putting in place Lasting Powers of Attorney.

But if mental capacity is lost suddenly or before powers of attorney can be arranged, it can be an anxious time as no one will have automatic authority to take over. In that situation Bell & Buxton can help with an application in the Court of Protection for the appointment of a Deputy to look after and manage financial affairs going forward.

We also recognise that acting as a Deputy can sometimes be a time-consuming and difficult responsibility. The role involves managing bank accounts, paying all necessary bills, liaising with service and care providers and preparing annual reports to the Office of the Public Guardian to account for the previous 12 months of financial activity and estimating for the year ahead. There may be no one in the family who feels able to take on the job. In those circumstances it may be possible for the Partners of Bell & Buxton to appointed as Deputy in a professional capacity and to ensure that the person lacking in mental capacity has all their financial needs met in their best interests.