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World Alzheimer's Month is a global opportunity to educate, raise awareness and challenge stigma surrounding Alzheimer's and dementia. At Clapham & Collinge LLP, we're proud to support this awareness month and our lawyers are keen to do what they can, having seen the challenges faced by family members who care for those diagnosed with dementia.
On World Alzheimer's Day which took place on Wednesday 21st September, we joined forces with Home Instead Norwich to provide a free-to-attend dementia training session for family members, friends and unpaid carers of those with dementia. During this training session Chris Carter and Lauren Pashley from Home Instead Norwich explained the symptoms of dementia and the impact on behaviour, offered tips and techniques for managing behaviours and highlighted activities to encourage engagement and wellbeing.
In support of World Alzheimer's Month, we're also offering our clients a 25% discount on Lasting Powers of Attorney throughout October…
Why is a Lasting Power of Attorney important?
There may be a time when you can no longer share or communicate what you think, or you cannot make decisions over your finances or legal affairs. This may be due to the development of a medical condition such as dementia. If you are affected by dementia you will need to consider the legal and financial implications for you and your family.
If you lose the ability to manage your own affairs, a partner or family member cannot automatically deal with things on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables people you choose to have legal authority to make certain decisions for you, if you become unable to make them yourself. The person who is given this authority is known as an 'attorney'. They can manage your finances or make decisions relating to your health and welfare. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney:
This gives your attorney the power to make decisions about your money and property, including managing bank or building society accounts, paying bills, collecting a pension and if necessary, selling your home. Once registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, it can be used immediately, or held in readiness until required.
- Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney:
This gives your attorney the power to make decisions about your daily routine, medical care, moving into a care home and life-sustaining medical treatment. It can only be used if you are unable to make your own decisions.
In relation to the cost of preparing and registering a Lasting Power of Attorney, this will depend on whether you wish to have both a Lasting Power of Attorney (Property and Financial Affairs) and/or a Lasting Power of Attorney (Health and Welfare) prepared and registered.
What happens if you don't make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
- No one has legal authority to act on your behalf – your spouse and children have no automatic rights to make decisions on your behalf;
- Someone will need to make an application to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order;
- This can be costly, time consuming and you may not end up being assisted by the person you would have chosen yourself.
At Clapham & Collinge LLP we have a team of expert lawyers who provide advice and assistance in the preparation of your Lasting Powers of Attorney to make sure they are right for you and reflect your wishes. We also register the documents as soon as they are prepared to ensure that they can be used straight away if needed.
To claim your discount and book your Lasting Power of Attorney appointment, please contact our Client Relations Team on on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an enquiry' form on our website.
*This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice.
Terms and conditions of the 25% discount on Lasting Powers of Attorney
To take advantage of this discount, all appointments must be booked by Friday 28th October and must take place by Friday 16th December.
A 25% discount will only apply if your bill is paid within 14 days of being raised, otherwise the additional 25% would be payable.
