Meet Kim Rainford BA (Hons) Law our specialist solicitor for Elderly Client Services
At Hannays Solicitors and Advocates Ltd., we have many years of knowledge and experience in providing advice on the law as it affects the elderly and vulnerable. We provide legal advice and practical assistance to our clients, their families and carers.
We are particularly concerned:
- To take care to understand our elderly and vulnerable clients’ needs and wishes
- To provide clear and constructive advice
- To provide peace of mind
- To respond rapidly to requests for advice
- To make house, care home or hospital calls where appropriate without any extra charges
We offer a wide range of services for our elderly and vulnerable clients including:
- Advising on and drawing up valid Wills
- Preparing and advising on Lasting Powers of Attorney for both financial and welfare decisions
- Dealing with the registration of Lasting and Enduring Powers of Attorney
- Acting as attorneys and deputies dealing with the day-to-day administration of a client’s property and affairs
- Advising attorneys and deputies on their rights and responsibilities
- Advising on and handling applications to the Court of Protection
- Advising on and preparing Wills and Trusts that provide for vulnerable dependants
- Advising on issues of legal authority for decision making, capacity and best interests
The best advice is to plan ahead for the future, so you know who will make decisions for you when you are less able to cope, what those decisions will be and when they can be made.
We also understand that sometimes even the best laid plans go wrong and it is just not possible to plan ahead. Circumstances change or relatives fall out, or there is a crisis that needs to be resolved. Sometimes there is unexpected and serious illness or a partner dies.
Some of our clients encounter a life threatening illness or there is a change in their mental health which leaves them incapable of managing independently and they have to move to long term residential care. This is a big change to get used to for our client and their family.
We work with health care professionals and funders to ensure our clients receive the best care available and advise on setting up care payments, ensure benefits are being claimed and if nursing rather than social care is being provided requesting a CHC review.
Inheritance Tax, Care Costs and Wealth planning
You may need independent financial advice at any one of the key stages in your life but this becomes more important as you face retirement because you may have concerns about
- long term care when your property and assets may need extra protection, or
- if you are considering your Will and how to provide for loved ones after you die if you know that you are likely to need long term residential care.
Working with you we can help you to develop a plan that organises your financial assets as efficiently as possible.
Our Solicitors regularly advise on care-funding, can explain the options available and wherever possible help you to manage your assets so they will continue to provide for your care.
Poor planning could also mean that more Inheritance Tax (IHT) than necessary may need to be paid by your beneficiaries and we can assist you to draw up a Will that provides a solid foundation in making full use of IHT allowances and exemptions.
As we are not financial advisors you may need independent financial advice to organise insurance policies or investments and we can provide advice to assist you with finding the right financial advisor for your circumstances.
We realise that sometimes our client’s circumstances prevent our client’s from being able to visit us in our offices and this especially affects the elderly who may be undergoing medical treatment, or maybe moved to a care home.
It is not a problem for us to arrange to visit clients in their own home, hospital ward or residential care home.
- We don’t charge anything extra for home or hospital visits for our elderly, ill or disabled clients within the Borough of South Tyneside, Sunderland or Washington (Tyne & Wear)
- We try to arrange a time that is convenient for our clients
- When we visit we do not try to outstay our welcome
- We won’t try to sell unnecessary and additional legal products that will increase expenditure needlessly
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a government tax based on the value of the property to be purchased and the purchasers property ownership history.
You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the HMRC calculator https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro or if the property is located in Wales https://beta.gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator
Our Fixed Fee quotations include our costs, disbursements and stamp duty and should provide a clear understanding of the total cost of a purchase transaction as well as the full funds you will need to complete the transaction.
What our clients think
All Our Services
Conveyancing
Our conveyancers are accredited by the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) to help with all aspects of residential conveyancing.
Family
Our experienced team of solicitors provide advice on all aspects of Family Law.
Children
Our Solicitors provide specialist support and assistance where local authority proceedings are taking place or when a private application for child arrangements is required.
Wills & Probate
Our solicitors assist our clients at any age to plan what should be put in place after death to ensure that wishes are followed and after death by applying for probate and administering estates.
Elderly Client Services
Our approachable and helpful team assists in all aspects of later life planning, especially when an older person becomes vulnerable and less able to manage their own financial affairs and home.
Court of Protection
Our team can assist with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputy Orders following the procedures of the Court of Protection.