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Older Client Services

Expert legal advice for the elderly 

Many of us can look forward to living to a ripe old age thanks to an aging population. But the legal problems facing the elderly can be complex and often require an approach of patience, great sensitivity and tact. At Stone King our team of friendly and experienced solicitors have particular expertise in helping older clients, their families, friends and carers. Whether you want advice on powers of attorney or just need a hand with your paperwork, we have developed a range of specialist skills and services to address the particular issues you face. They include:

Managing your affairs    

If you or someone close to you is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with everyday matters, we can help. Our solicitors have substantial experience in helping elderly clients with their affairs. If you have to move into residential care, for example, we can coordinate all your capital and income resources to ensure that your assets are well managed. We can assist you with the move and help clear and sell your house for you. Many older people, however, just need a hand to keep on top of things. Our special secretary service can help you sort out your financial affairs and make sure bills are paid on time.

Powers of attorney

Who would take important decisions on your behalf if you were unable to? Stone King can advise you on drawing up lasting powers of attorney. These are documents that give other people authority to make decisions for you when you can't. They allow you to name one or more attorneys to handle your financial affairs.  You can also  appoint attorneys to make decisions about your personal welfare, including decisions about medical treatment. Our solicitors are very approachable and are often appointed by our older clients to act as their attorneys.

The lasting power regime replaced enduring powers of attorney in October 2007. Although you can no longer make new enduring powers of attorney, documents completed prior to October 2007 are still valid.

We can advise those acting as attorneys acting under enduring powers of attorney on their powers and duties.

Deputies and the Court of Protection

If someone in your family loses the ability to make decisions for themselves and has not made a valid lasting or enduring power of attorney, it might be necessary to ask the Court of Protection for authority to manage their affairs for them. We can advise you on making applications to the court in order to appoint a deputy to make decisions on their behalf.  Our partners and solicitors have extensive experience of acting as deputies for our clients. 

Stone King can help you with other applications to the Court of Protection.  For example, we can ask the court to make a will for someone who lacks capacity or ask the court to approve lifetime gifts as part of an inheritance tax planning scheme.

Living wills

Some of us have very clear wishes concerning our medical treatment in the event of serious illness or accident. If this is important to you then you should consider making a living will. 

This is a document that sets out your wishes regarding future medical care or treatment to be acted upon if you are mentally  incapable of expressing yourself. Our specialist team can prepare and advise you on living wills so that you have peace of mind.

Long term care

Moving into residential care or arranging home support can be a daunting and difficult time for many older clients, their families and carers. We can help guide you through the maze of complex information and rules. 

Out experienced legal team can advise you on when the NHS or local authority should be responsible for funding your care. We can help to ensure that you receive the financial support to which you are entitled.

Sometimes individuals are asked to pay for their own care when they could get help from the state. The rules governing care home funding are complex but our specialist team can help to reduce or stop the charges altogether, and in some cases even have charges refunded.  If an individual’s primary need is for health care, they may qualify for NHS funding which means the NHS is responsible for  care costs.  This funding is not means tested.  We can review potential eligibility for care and provide guidance through all stages of the process including building a case for establishing a primary health need for presentation at panel hearings  and attend those hearings on behalf of the individual and family.

For further information please click here to contact Alison Allen.