Legal Matters with Deirdre Moss at Lemon&Co
Given the current political arguments over the future of elderly care, you could be forgiven for thinking that making the right arrangements for you and your family at this time of your life is overwhelmingly difficult.
The headlines have been filled with how we will be taking care of our elderly population, which is growing all the time, with most of the stories being filled with inflammatory language such as “£20K death tax”.
And recently, the charity Carers UK has warned that there will be a “care system time bomb” as the number of older people needing full time care outstrips the number of carers.
I started 2010 having been appointed Managing Partner of Lemon&Co and as part of this local community we take these issues very seriously.
No matter what the papers are saying about the state of national elderly care, I hope that we can provide the necessary legal peace of mind and comfort that brings to those who need it most.
And, having had the privilege of working with many individuals and families in the Swindon region, I know how important a true personal understanding is – whatever is happening in your life with your most private concerns.
So, it is possible to ensure the stress and worry that is at the heart of these media scare stories is taken care of for you personally way in advance to safeguard you and your family against any unwarranted outside influences.
For example, making sure your will is prepared to take into account your circumstances, so there are no unnecessary shocks or costs for your loved ones after your death, particularly where this involves the family home.
Receiving sound legal advice on practical issues regarding funding for future care especially where this has an effect on your family home or other assets is vital. And this may have a direct impact on those who are left behind after you pass away
But given the fact the average age of life expectancy is rising all the time in the UK, one of the most significant decisions people can make is how to create trusts, some of which are quite simple, and lasting powers of attorney to best manage your circumstances within your lifetime and for those left behind.
You can also plan for the effects of remarriage, thus providing for your children and grandchildren whilst still looking after a surviving husband or wife.
Putting lasting powers of attorney, whether for financial or personal care, in place means that you have vital protection should you or a loved one be unable to manage your own financial affairs and to ensure the security of your care.
This means that whatever Whitehall decides on how best to manage overall elderly care you have protected yourself against erosion of assets and any kind of unthinkable abuse or oversight that could leave your assets vulnerable.
February 2010
This article gives a general overview only and the legal position at the time of writing this article. It cannot be relied upon in any particular case. Specific legal advice must always be considered to include consideration as to whether the legal position contained in this article has changed since going to print. For further information and advice, please contact Deirdre Moss on 01793 527141 or alternatively by email on deirdre.moss@lemon-co.co.uk.
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<p><strong><a href="http://www.lemon-co.co.uk/article_legalmatters-dm.php">Legal Matters with Deirdre Moss at Lemon&Co</a></strong><br />
Given the current political arguments over the future of elderly care, you could be forgiven for thinking that making the right arrangements for you and your family at this time of your life is overwhelmingly difficult...</p>
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