Private Client
Planning for later life is about retaining choice and making practical arrangements while you can decide for yourself. We help you consider who could assist with decisions, whether your will still reflects your wishes and what needs checking before you give away money or change ownership of your home.
Understanding your next steps
A lasting power of attorney allows you to appoint people you trust for specified decisions. We discuss the two types, how attorneys would work together and any preferences or instructions. A spouse or adult child should not assume that being next of kin gives authority over your finances.
Family changes, bereavement or a proposed move may affect earlier plans. We review the relevant legal documents and discuss the needs of the people you want to provide for. Your own housing, income and access to funds should remain central to the conversation.
Transferring assets can affect tax, control and financial security. In England, a local authority may treat someone as still owning assets deliberately given away to reduce care charges. A trust or gift is not a guaranteed way to exclude a home from a care assessment.
A clear way forward
Bring existing wills and powers of attorney, an outline of assets and income, and any care assessment or proposed transfer documents.
We discuss your wishes and any capacity or communication needs. Family members can help provide information, but your own instructions are central.
We identify the documents and advice needed, explain signing and registration, and discuss where papers will be kept and who should know about them.
Planning ahead
The estimate depends on the work chosen, such as wills, powers of attorney or advice on a proposed transfer. Registration charges, medical assessments or separate tax advice may be additional and should be discussed in advance.
Planning early allows time for decisions and registration. If illness or a rapid change in circumstances creates urgency, tell us when you first contact us so the options and any evidence needed can be considered.
Read our published Price Guide, then contact us to confirm the work you need and the costs involved.
View Price GuideUseful to know
No arrangement should be sold on that promise. Deliberate deprivation rules may apply, and a transfer can have serious consequences for your control of the property. The reasons, timing and circumstances need careful advice.
Do not use the Inheritance Tax seven-year rule as a rule for care assessments. They are different systems. A local authority considers the relevant circumstances when assessing possible deprivation of assets.
They may help with arrangements and information, but legal authority and your ability to make the particular decision must be considered. We need to establish who the client is and whose instructions can properly be accepted.
Bring the complete document and registration details. We can consider whether it covers the decisions needed and whether proposed changes are possible. If capacity has been lost, a different legal route may be required.
General information for England and Wales. Contact us for advice about your circumstances.
SJS Solicitors · Balham
