It’s never too early to plan ahead

Have you thought about what kind of legal services you might need as you and your loved ones get older?
People are living longer than ever before, and as we get older, we are at higher risk of health issues such as dementia, strokes, and loss of mental capacity. By having legal plans in place, we can make things easier for ourselves and our loved ones if we have to face difficult circumstances.

At the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, we specialise in tailored later life planning to ensure that people get the right legal support to continue to live fulfilling, dignified lives as they get older, as well as to protect their inheritance. Every Lifetime Lawyer is trained to provide specialist support to older people and will always take into account the mental and physical difficulties that people may be facing.

What you need to know

Lasting power of attorney (LPA)

An LPA enables you to appoint others to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to due to a loss of mental capacity. There are two types of LPA - financial and health/welfare - and you may need both. Lifetime Lawyers can help you choose an attorney, draft the LPA, and put safeguards in place to prevent its misuse and suit your particular needs.

Care funding

If you need care, it's important to get advice to plan for different scenarios like staying in your home or moving into a care home. A Lifetime Lawyer can provide guidance on legal entitlements, such as financial support from welfare benefits, social funding, equipment from social services and NHS-funded healthcare.

Wills

A will enables you to decide what happens to your property and possessions after your death and set out what you would like for your funeral. Without a will, your assets may be distributed according to ‘the intestacy rules’ rather than your wishes. A Lifetime Lawyer can advise you and draft your will so that it is tax and administratively efficient and reduce the risk of a claim being made against your estate after your death.

Gifts

By making timely gifts or putting assets into trust during your lifetime, you can pass on your estate before you die. Any proposed gift needs careful consideration of the benefits, risks and implications on tax, your financial security, and any future liability for care. It is dangerous to make a gift without getting the right advice, as you may find that you are denied state funding at the time you most need it. A Lifetime Lawyer will be able to advise you on this.

Advance decisions/Living wills

An advance decision enables you to set out details of any medical treatment you do not want in the event you are later unable to communicate your wishes. A Lifetime Lawyer can draft the document and advise on how it applies in practice.

Why use us?

The Association of Lifetime Lawyers is a national association of independent lawyers who specialise in legal services for seniors.

As specialists, our members are also trained in older client care so that they are able to take into account any difficulties both mental and physical which can affect older and vulnerable clients and are aware of the health and social problems that people may face.

Helping to connect you with the right legal help when you need it

Find a Lifetime Lawyer near you