Advises on planning for the now extremely expensive care fees, and on obtaining attendance and disability allowances, and can assist with all aspects of long-term healthcare finance planning, often referring clients to independent financial advisers for appropriate financial packages.
 
We often make home visits to our clients in Portsmouth and Southsea.
 
The firm's success is measured by the growing number of Lasting Powers of Attorney which it draws for its clients, and the corresponding reduction of the amount of appointments of Receivers by the Court of Protection, which is an extremely cumbersome and expensive procedure.
 
However, in cases where a Lasting Power of Attorney is not possible we deal with applications to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a Receiver, Orders for Sale, Receivers yearly accounts and all other necessary matters. The Court of Protection administration is like a maze, but we can help you through!
 
This firm has also recently been involved in litigation before Master Denzil Lush of the Court of Protection, and has several useful contacts within the Office of the Public Guardian.
 
Elderly care is a recent specialty, often handled by firms under their Probate and Wills department but Allens have taken the unusual step of creating a specialist department because of the ever growing areas of concern for the elderly which have developed as a result of the reduction in national health funding and in the number of places in rest homes and nursing homes, and the fact that long-term health planning is in many instances more important than tax planning. After all, the Chancellor can only take 40% of someone's estate after they are dead if that estate exceeds £300,000. Whereas a Local Authority can take 100% of a persons estate above £21,000, while that person is still alive, for healthcare fees!
 
The situation is ever changing as a result of political pressure, and the team ensures it is regularly updated and fully informed as to latest developments.
 
Graham Cooke and Robert Stone are both members of Solicitors for the Elderly: The members of our elderly care team are Iris Durham assisted by Julie Harnett and Carolyn Russell.
 
Iris Durham was formerly a Partner in an East End of London firm of Solicitors, and was herself a specialist in family law: however, she has enjoyed this specialty so much that she now undertakes no other type of work.
 
In addition to Lasting Powers of Attorney, the drawing of Advanced Directions (often known as Living Wills) and applications for Statutory Wills, the team is also often involved in administering and managing elderly clients affairs which has involved on more than one occasion, helping with the shopping! It is no accident that the word "care" is in the team title!
 
For further details, e-mail us at , or
 
DOWNLOAD OUR FAQ ON LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY - (Word doc.)
 
Please Note: Disabled access is available from the rear of our building.