22 May 2018
If a loved one has dementia and has lost the mental capacity to manage their affairs it can be a very worrying time. You might be wondering what measures you can put in place to help make ongoing decisions.
Andrea Beesley-Hewitt, a Court of Protection specialist at Hegarty answers common questions and explains more about the Court of Protection.
Only if he has capacity to do so. If not, you will require a Court of Protection application.
The Court of Protection is the specialist Court which has the power to make decisions and appoint Deputies to make on-going decisions, in relation to the Property & Financial Affairs, or Health & Welfare, of those who are mentally incapable and have not previously signed a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA).
Applications should be made for the following reasons:
Anyone over the age of 18 years can apply to be appointed as a Deputy. The Deputy is usually a relative or a close friend of the person who lacks capacity, but a professional such as a solicitor can also act as a Deputy if required. Appointing a professional Deputy ensures that there is somebody on your side who fully understands the legal procedures.
A solicitor can make an application on your behalf, but this is not essential. Guidance is available on www.gov.uk or by contacting the Court staff who will be able to assist you with general queries and provide basic guidance. The Court cannot provide any legal advice or services, and so many people find the assistance of a solicitor helpful when making a Deputyship Application.