Deputyship provides the authority to make financial or welfare decisions for a loved one who no longer has the mental capacity to make these decisions on their own. It is the duty of a deputy to always act in the best interests of the incapacitated person, making sure that all decisions made are for their benefit.
Apply for Deputyship through the Court of Protection
You can apply to the Court of Protection to legally become a deputy if you are the person’s spouse, partner, child, close relative or close friend – but you must be over 18. There can be more than one deputy, and in such cases the court may order you to make decisions jointly.
If you are appointed financial deputy, you are responsible for the person’s day-to-day financial affairs. This includes budgeting for their future, preserving their access to state benefits (if applicable), looking after any investments they have made, paying their bills, and sorting out their tax.
Of course, looking after an incapacitated loved one’s finances, health and welfare can be extremely stressful, time-consuming and, in some cases, rather harrowing. So, if it’s easier for you, our experienced lawyers can act as their professional deputy – which allows you to concentrate on providing them with loving care.
As such, our range of services cover the following:
- Applications to the Court of Protection for close family members or friends to become a legal deputy
- Specific applications to the Court of Protection, for example the sale of property or preparation of statutory wills
- Legal support and expert dispute resolution with contested deputyship applications
- Professional deputyship, where we act with care to manage the financial and health affairs of a loved one