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  3. Wills and probate solicitors in Bishop Auckland, Crook and Shildon
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  5. Advanced decisions for medical treatment

Advanced decisions for medical treatment

A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives a trusted person the ability to make decisions about your medical treatment and personal care when you don’t have the capacity to do so yourself. Our experienced private client team can walk you through the steps of putting an LPA in place to safeguard your future.

There may be a time when you can no longer make decisions about your care or communicate what you think. This may be because of an age-related decline in health, or because of a sudden illness or accident. It is impossible to know what the future has in store, but by assigning someone you trust to have Lasting Powers of Attorney you can have some element of control. Health and welfare LPAs will only act if you do not have capacity. So long as you’re able to make informed decisions, yours will be the only opinion doctors and healthcare professionals will take into account when treating you.

The role of a Health and Welfare LPA is to make decisions on your behalf if you no longer have the capacity to understand the information about your health or to understand the consequences of your choices. An important factor to consider when appointing an LPA is timescale. If your health is already declining, you need to be aware that an LPA may not be able to make decisions on your behalf until eight weeks’ time, after their registration with the Office of the Public Guardian validates their authority. It may be important to put other safeguards, such as an Advance Decision, in place too.

Our private client team in Bishop Auckland, Crook and Shildon will help you put a legally binding document in place that affords a loved one, family member or trusted professional the ability to ensure you’re well cared for – including everything from consenting to or refusing particular medical treatments, to making decisions about your diet, routine, dress and ongoing care. Call Smith Roddam Solicitors to discuss your future-proof needs on 01388 881 611.

Team members

Lori-Beth Parsley
Solicitor
Bishop Auckland
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Wills and probate

Life is full of twists and turns and none of us can be sure what the future holds. That’s why creating a will makes good sense. As more and more people realise the importance of making a will, it’s no longer seen as something just for the elderly or ill but simply part of sound financial planning for any family or individual.

Power of attorney

In an uncertain world it’s reassuring to know that our wishes will be respected even if we’re not in a position to make our own decisions. That’s why many people choose to create a lasting power of attorney (LPA) to provide protection should an accident or ill health prevent them from making decisions in the future.

Advanced decisions for medical treatment | Wills & Probate

Making an Advance Decision about medical treatment and ongoing care avoids any misunderstanding about what your wishes are should you no longer be able to communicate them. Smith Roddam Solicitors can help you plan ahead.

Care after lost capacity

Making a Will usually legally requires a person to have the mental capacity to understand what decisions they are making or what they are agreeing to. There are some instances, however, when this is not possible. Smith Roddam Solicitors can help you make a Will for a family member or loved one who lacks mental capacity.

Community care issues

When adults have special care needs, the local authority is often responsible for providing community care services to help support the individual in their daily life. Community care services can include services provided in your own home, or at another location within the community.

Estate administration

Upon the death of a relative, administering their estate is an important step to undertake. In some circumstances, this is more difficult because there is no will or it is somehow invalid. Smith Roddam Solicitors can guide you through what the right steps are.

Inheritance and tax planning

Planning ahead for when you die allows you to set out clearly who should get what from your estate. Smith Roddam Solicitors can help you think through your plans and their financial impact. Our aim is to ensure that your loved ones are cared for when you no longer can.

Making a will

For many of us, making a will is something we know we should do but never quite get round to. Of course, it’s important not to put it off and the good news is that at Smith Roddam Solicitors, making a will could be much quicker and easier than you think.

Will and inheritance disputes

The terms of a Will can cause distress. If there isn’t one, this is difficult too. Smith Roddam Solicitors can advise on any matter where a will or inheritance is in dispute.

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