Court of Protection Services for Spanish Speakers
When a loved one can’t make decisions for themselves due to illness, disability, or injury, you need clear legal guidance. Our Court of Protection team provides expert advice to Spanish speakers, helping families across the North West navigate mental capacity law without the stress of translation.
Contact Us
Need Court of Protection advice in Spanish? Speak to our bilingual team today 0330 111 3131 or contact us via our online form.
What we can help with
Our Spanish-language Court of Protection services cover everything you need when someone loses mental capacity. We handle the legal side while you focus on caring for your family member.
Deputyship applications
We help you become a court-appointed deputy to make decisions on behalf of someone who can’t make them themselves. This includes managing their finances and property decisions. We’ll prepare all court documents in English while explaining everything to you in Spanish, guide you through the court process, and support you with ongoing deputy responsibilities once appointed.
Mental capacity assessments and advice
Not sure whether someone has capacity to make specific decisions? We provide clear guidance on mental capacity law under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Our team advises on when the Court of Protection needs to be involved, helps you understand best interests decision-making, and works with medical professionals to gather the right evidence.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and court applications
If an LPA wasn’t set up before someone lost capacity, we can apply to the Court of Protection for authority to make decisions. We handle applications when there’s no LPA in place, resolve disputes about existing LPAs, and advise on the difference between LPAs and deputyship.
Property and financial affairs
We assist deputies and family members with complex financial matters affecting someone without capacity. This covers selling or managing property, accessing bank accounts and pensions, dealing with debts and benefits, and managing inheritance and tax issues.
How the Court of Protection process works
Applying to the Court of Protection can feel overwhelming, especially in a second language. Here’s what to expect when you work with us.
- Initial consultation in Spanish – We meet with you (in person, by phone, or video call) to understand your situation. You’ll speak directly with Rebecca De Stefano, our Spanish-speaking Chartered Legal Executive, who’ll explain your options in plain language. This consultation typically takes 45-60 minutes, and there’s no legal jargon – just straight-talking advice about what needs to happen next.
- Gathering evidence and documentation – We collect all the documents the court needs, including medical evidence of mental capacity, financial records, and details about the person’s circumstances. We’ll guide you on what’s needed and can communicate with doctors, social services, and banks on your behalf. This stage usually takes 2-4 weeks, depending on how quickly medical reports can be obtained.
- Preparing and filing the court application – Our team prepares all court documents in English while keeping you fully informed in Spanish at every stage. We draft the application form (COP1), supporting witness statements, and any other legal documents required. Before filing, we’ll review everything with you to ensure you understand what’s being submitted.
- Court review and appointment – Once filed, the Court of Protection reviews the application. For straightforward deputyship applications, this typically takes 4-6 months. We handle all correspondence with the court and notify relevant parties as required by law. If the court has questions, we respond on your behalf.
- Ongoing support after appointment – Becoming a deputy isn’t the end – you have ongoing duties to the court. We provide continued advice on annual reporting requirements, major financial decisions that need court approval, keeping accurate records of income and expenditure, and any changes in circumstances that affect the deputyship.
Why choose Slater Heelis for Court of Protection services
Native Spanish language support
Language should never be a barrier to justice. Our dedicated Spanish-speaking legal executive, Rebecca De Stefano, provides legal advice, documentation support, and court representation in your native language. You’ll never struggle to explain complex family situations through translation services – we understand the cultural nuances and can communicate with the sensitivity your situation deserves.
Experienced Court of Protection team
Rebecca is backed by one of the North West’s most experienced Court of Protection teams. Our solicitors have handled hundreds of deputyship applications, and complex mental capacity disputes. This means you get specialist expertise combined with the confidence of knowing we’ve dealt with situations like yours before.
Straight-talking, down-to-earth approach
We don’t hide behind legal jargon or overcomplicate things. Our approach is practical and honest – we’ll tell you what needs to be done, how long it’ll take, and what it’ll cost. No surprises, no unnecessary delays.
Strong North West presence
With offices across the North West in Manchester, Sale and Chester, we’re part of the community we serve. Our solicitors regularly attend the Court of Protection in Manchester and have established relationships with court officials, making the process smoother for you.
Comprehensive legal support under one roof
Court of Protection matters often overlap with other legal issues – inheritance disputes, care home fees, family disagreements. We can connect you with specialists in other areas when needed, including family law for divorce and financial disputes, litigation for challenging decisions, employment law if work-related capacity issues arise, and property law for selling or managing homes.
Transparent fees and funding options
We provide clear cost estimates at the outset. Many Court of Protection applications can be funded from the protected person’s estate, and we’ll advise on whether you can recover costs from their funds. We also offer flexible payment arrangements to help families access the legal support they need.
Meet our Spanish-speaking Court of Protection expert
Rebecca De Stefano
Rebecca is a Chartered Legal Executive specialising in Court of Protection law, with fluent Spanish language capability. She provides culturally sensitive legal support to Spanish-speaking families navigating the complex world of mental capacity law.
As a member of our larger Court of Protection team, Rebecca has access to decades of combined experience in mental capacity law and deputyship applications. This means her clients benefit from specialist knowledge backed by robust team support.
Rebecca regularly handles cases involving:
- Property and financial affairs deputyship applications
- Urgent applications for court orders
- Disputes between family members about decision-making
- Safeguarding concerns for vulnerable adults
- Applications where someone lacks an LPA
Ready to discuss your Court of Protection needs?
Don’t let language barriers delay getting the legal protection your family member needs. Contact us on 0330 111 3131 or via our online enquiry form.
