TASSELLS

SOLICITORS

 

Elderly Clients

The needs of our clients change with age and we tailor the advice we give with this in mind. In addition to our usual approach we particularly wish:

  1. to take care to understand our elderly clients’ needs and wishes
     
  2. to provide clear and constructive advice
     
  3. to provide peace of mind
     
  4. to respond rapidly to requests for advice
     
  5. to make house calls where appropriate and practicable

Concerns of Elderly Clients

It is our experience that the financial concerns as the years advance arise out of gifts of property and the need for tax planning. Please see our separate page on Wills, and please note the availability of financial advice itself through our association with Cane Cohen.

We are increasingly concerned about the statutory provisions to claw back property that might have been given away but for an element of benefit that our client might retain. We advise on the effect of such a retention, and how best to avoid the trap.

There are likely to be Budget changes each year that affect gifts and other dispositions of property and we can advise on the appropriate action.

Preservation of assets is important particularly for clients faced with costs of care. There are important differences between Local authority and Health Authority care, most strikingly that the former the client pays for, the latter the State will pay. Our experience is that the demands of the local authority for payment can sometimes be premature.

Our advice is that clients should, when making their Wills, also make an enduring (lasting) power of attorney. These allow the client to appoint another to help run their financial affairs. Attorneys might be family members, friends or professional advisers.

We can give advice on residential care costs and strategies for limiting liability for these.

We can assist in the administration of financial affairs of our clients, in appropriate cases by applying for a receivership at the Court of Protection or registering an existing enduring (lasting) power of attorney, or less formally in other circumstances

We can give advice on benefits that might be available for elderly clients

 

For an initial interview and advice, please ask for James Matthews, Ian Wessels or Ann Matthews.