COMMUNITY LEGAL ADVICE
If you live in England or Wales and want free high-quality legal information to help you deal with you legal problems, the CLS can help. Find out if you qualify for legal aid. The CLS will give free legal information leaflets or legalhelp factsheets. Search for a high-quality local legal adviser or solicitor. Tel: 0845 345 4 345. http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
Ordinary Power of Attorney and Lasting Power of Attorney
While an older person is in good health, signing an enduring power of attorney form is worthwhile. Available from a law solicitor and (some high st. stationers). To help you decide which document is appropriate for your circumstances you should consider the following: 1. Do you need someone to act for you for a temporary period and while you are able to supervise their actions? then an ordinary Power of Attorney is the appropriate document. If you want someone to be able to act for you when you lose capacity to make your own and when you can no longer supervise their actions, you should consider a Lasting Power of Attorney rather than an ordinary Power of Attorney.
A FACTSHEET (NO. 22) IS AVAILABLE FROM AGE CONCERN, ENGLAND TEL:0800 00 99 66. www.ageconcern.org.uk\AgeConcern\fs22
A free guide is available from The Public Guardianship Office 0845 330 2900.
Wills (SEE OUR SEPERATE PAGE TITLED WILLS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES)
However little money you have, it is a good idea to make a will to avoid legal complications after your death. You do not have to go to a solicitor to make a will, though if you are not used to legal matters, it is better not to make a will yourself. At any event you will need two witnesses who do not benefit from the terms of the will and one or more executors who will carry out your instructions as laid down in the will.
The Consumers' Association publishes guides to writing wills and probate procedures. Enquire at your library.
Age Concern Southend cannot offer advice on drafting wills.
Useful Age Concern factsheets: no. 7 Making your will; no.22 Legal arrangements for managing financial affairs; no. 43 Obtaining and paying for legal advice. Both available from freephone 0800 00 99 66 or go to http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/
