Lasting Power of Attorney:
The Basics

Following on from in our series of ‘The Basics’, this week we look at Lasting Powers of Attorney and some of the questions we are frequently asked, such as:

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What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

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Why is a Lasting Power of Attorney important?

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What happens if I don’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place?

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Can I put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place after being diagnosed with Dementia?

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What’s involved in making a Lasting Power of Attorney?

So, let’s get going…

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that you put in place to name someone (or more than one person) that you know and trust as your Attorney or Attorneys. As your Attorney, they will have the ability to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity in the future or even if you would prefer them to make decisions for you now in relation to your finances.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney, one in relation to Property and Financial Affairs and another in relation to Health & Welfare. You can appoint the same, or different, people to be your Attorneys in relation to the two different types.

Why is a Lasting Power of Attorney important?

Why is a Lasting Power of Attorney important? Or, what happens if I don’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place? Both of these questions arrive at a very similar answer…

We are all living longer and statistics show that 1 in 3 of us will develop Dementia. It is vital to release the burden from loved ones to allow them to access your money and pay for care for example. Banks can freeze accounts if capacity is lost, regardless of account signatories and medical professionals make decisions for you without having to consult your loved ones. A Lasting Power of Attorney negates these issues.

A Lasting Power of Attorney, for your property and financial affairs, can be put into place straight away meaning that even if you are out of the country, or temporarily incapacitated, your Attorney can help out and make decisions for you or undertake actions for you where otherwise you would need to be physically present.

Can I put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place after being diagnosed with Dementia?

We are massive advocates for getting your Lasting Powers of Attorney in place at a young age, even if the concept of ever needing them seems in the very distant future BUT…

A Lasting Power of Attorney must be put in place whilst the Donor (the person giving the Power) has capacity and a Certificate Provider (that can be us!) is required to certify this in order for the Power to be registered by the Office of the Public Guardian.

So, once diagnosed with dementia is it too late to make a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Whether you can make a Lasting Power of Attorney after being diagnosed with Dementia will depend on how soon the diagnosis takes place and whether the individual that has been diagnosed has lucid or ‘good’ days and is still of sound mind.

If the individual still has lucid days where they are clear on their finances, current affairs and appear to be unaffected by the Dementia, then it may well be that a Lasting Power of Attorney can be prepared at this time and instructions taken from the individual. A Certificate Provider will meet with the individual and go through, carefully and sensitively, the current circumstances and ask questions as to that individual’s circumstances and personal affairs as well as current affairs in the news and media to ascertain their general capacity and mental wellbeing. If the Certificate Provider is content that the Donor has capacity, then the Lasting Power of Attorney can be applied for.

You can find out more in our article – Is it too late to make a Lasting Power of Attorney once being diagnosed with Dementia?

What is involved in making a Lasting Power of Attorney?

The documents for a Lasting Power of Attorney can be quite daunting BUT, there is no need to worry!

We will meet with you and discuss all of the options and your requirements, and answer all your questions, and then complete all of the documents for you.

We will then return to you, so that all of the documentation can be signed in the correct order and in the correct places (we will also act as witness and certificate provider where appropriate).

We then liaise with your Attorneys to get all of the documentation signed correctly and get everything sent off to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration.

If you have any questions, or would like a FREE consultation, please call us on 01727 865121 or drop us an email Info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk

Leah Waller

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25th June 202025th June 2020

What are my rights & Responsibilities as an Attorney?

Advice for Attorneys
What are my Rights & Responsibilities as an Attorney?

Being appointed as an Attorney is a privilege BUT can often be seen as a daunting task.

So, let’s take a look at some of our advice and top tips for Attorneys…

Responsibilities

As an Attorney, you can make decisions on behalf of the person that has appointed you as an Attorney (the Donor) BUT you must always act in their BEST INTERESTS.

As an Attorney you MUST:

assume that the Donor can make their own decisions unless it is established that they cannot;
help the Donor to make their own decisions and take practical steps to assist with this. Only if you are not successful with this, can you make a decision yourself;
not treat the Donor as unable to make a decision just because they are making a decision that you believe to be unwise;
make decisions and act in the Donor’s best interest;
make decisions or act in a way that is the least restrictive on the Donor’s rights and freedoms whilst still achieving the purpose.

Rights

Your rights as an Attorney may depend on HOW YOU HAVE BEEN APPOINTED and whether the Donor has stated any PREFERENCES AND INSTRUCTIONS within the Lasting Power of Attorney document.

Where more than one Attorney has been appointed by the Donor then they have the choice to appoint the Attorneys to act:

Jointly & Severally

This is the most common option as it offers the most flexibility and allows the Attorneys to make decisions together, where possible or separately where it is not possible for all Attorneys to be together to make a decision.

This is particularly helpful where urgent decisions are required as it does not require all Attorneys to agree a unanimous decision.

This also means that the LPA will not be cancelled if just one Attorney can no longer act, where there are no replacement Attorneys named.

Jointly

Where Attorneys are appointed JOINTLY then ALL Attorneys must unanimously agree on a decision in order for it to be taken. If a unanimous decision cannot be agreed, then the decision cannot go ahead.

This could be difficult where Attorneys do not get on or cannot work together.

If one Attorney is unable to continue acting, or dies, then the LPA will be cancelled (unless there are Replacement Attorneys named) as where Attorneys are appointed JOINTLY, the law sees them as one unit, rather than as individuals.

Jointly for Some Decisions & Jointly and Severally for Other Decisions

With this option, the Donor can write specific preferences and instructions to the Attorneys as to what decisions must be made JOINTLY (unanimously) and the remaining decisions, that fall outside the scope of those specified by the Donor, can then be made either JOINTLY or SEVERALLY.

WHEN YOU CAN MAKE DECISIONS as an Attorney will depend on the Power given by the Donor.

In relation to Health & Welfare decisions, an Attorney can only act when the Donor no longer has capacity to make the decision for themselves (and this is assessed on a decision by decision basis).

In relation to Property & Financial Affairs, the Donor can choose whether an Attorney can act as soon as the LPA is registered or only after they have lost mental capacity.

Remember, your role as an Attorney is to EMPOWER the person that has appointed you as an Attorney and to help them make decisions for themselves or to take those decisions for them, in their best interest and as they would have done, had they been able to do so.

An Attorney must STOP acting if:

they lose mental capacity;
become bankrupt (if they are appointed as a Property & Financial Affairs Attorney);
become subject to a Debt Relief Order (if they are appointed as a Property & Financial Affairs Attorney);
they decide that they no longer want to act as an Attorney;
they were the husband, wife or civil partner of the Donor and have legally ended that marriage or civil partnership with the Donor.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch for a FREE consultation.

If you would like a FREE chat to discuss your options, get in touch on info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

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16th April 202023rd April 2020

We will review your Will…for FREE!

We will review your Will...for FREE!

So, you have a Will in place…GREAT!

But…it was made 5, 10, 15 (plus!) years ago?

How much has changed since you made your Will…and we are not just talking about the situation that we now find ourselves in with COVID-19. We are talking changes in family dynamics, change in assets, moving house, having children, grandchildren, maybe even great-grandchildren!

Does your Will still do what you want it to and most importantly, does it ensure that everything that you have worked so hard for, goes to where YOU want it to?

We offer a FREE Will Review to check just that, and talk through anything that may be missing.

Just to be clear…this Will Review is COMPLETELY FREE and there is absolutely no obligation or follow up from us (unless you want it, of course!).

We always recommend reviewing your Will every 2-5 years, as so much can change in that time. If your Will is still doing what you want it to then, great, put it back safely to where it is stored and review again in a couple of years.

So, what are some of the key areas that you should be thinking about when deciding upon whether to review your Will?

EXECUTORS

Are the people that you have appointed to

administer your Estate (your Executors) still the people that you want to be in charge?

This may change over time, as people get older and relationships change. When you first made your Will, you may have appointed parents, who may now be too old to take on such a responsibility, perhaps your siblings or even adult children may be better placed to take on this role?

GUARDIANS

Guardians are put in place within your Will as

the designated person, or people, to legally take care of your children if you are no longer around to be able to do so. When reviewing your Will it is worth considering who you have in as your Guardians, much like Executors, you may have appointed parents, who may now be too old to take on the role, perhaps your siblings or close friends may be better placed?

BENEFICIARIES

Your Will is your chance to ensure that

everything you have worked for, goes to those YOU want it to and that may well change as you grow, circumstances change and new additions to the family come along. Reviewing your Will can ensure that those beneficiaries that you want to inherit, WILL.

INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING

Are there provisions and planning that can be

done now, or in the near future, to reduce your Inheritance Tax liability later on?

TRUSTS

Trusts allow you to protect your assets and

ensure they are looked after for the beneficiary or beneficiaries.

DISABLED TRUSTS

Are you leaving money to a Vulnerable Person (a minor or an adult)? This could affect their means-tested benefits should they receive a substantial inheritance and so a Disabled Person’s Trust may be worthwhile considering to mitigate this.

CARE HOME FEES

Is there planing that can be done now to protect your Home from Care Home Fees should care for you or your spouse/partner be necessary in the future?

There are so many decisions to think about and choices to make, but don’t let that put you off!

We can help you through any queries that you have and make things as simple and easy as possible.

ENSURE YOUR WILL DOES WHAT YOU WANT IT TO

If you have any questions, or would like a FREE review of your existing Will, please call us on 01727 865121 or drop us an email Info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk

Leah Waller

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6th February 202023rd April 2020

When should I get a Will?

When should I get a Will?

We often get asked…

“Do I really need a Will, won’t everything just go to my children/husband/wife?”

Well, sadly it isn’t as simple as that (not many things are!).

You may have seen our flowchart of what happens if you die without a Will (also known as intestate) but here it is again:

So, as you can see, it is not as straightforward as you may have hoped.

It is not something we can predict (that is, when our time is up) however, it is something that we can plan for!

So, some of the stages in your life that you may want to consider putting a Will in place (if you haven’t already!) or reviewing your Will are:

Buying a Property

Whether you are buying a property to live in yourself, with someone else, or to rent out and use as an income, it is important to consider how that house is owned (solely, as Joint Tenants or as Tenants in Common) as this will have a bearing on what happens to the property upon your death.

If you are able to gift the property on your death (or part of the property) then your Will will determine exactly what happens to that property and who inherits.

If you are in doubt about how a current property of yours is held, or what consequences that has, please do get in touch and we can help.

Getting Married

When you get married, if you have no children and no Will in place, then everything will pass to your spouse upon your death.

However, when you have children, the first £250,000 (including the value of any property owned solely by you or as a Tenant in Common) will pass to your spouse along with all your possessions and the remainder will be split with your spouse receiving an interest in half and the remaining half being split equally between your children.

This may not be what you would want to happen and so making a Will is important.

Equally, where you marry for a second (or subsequent) time, you may want to protect some of you previous earnings and assets for children from a previous marriage or to dispose of in another way, rather than it all passing to your new spouse and so this is where a Will is extremely important.

A Will also becomes void on marriage (unless the Will states the intended marriage), this is something you need to consider and something that is not commonly known.

Becoming a Parent

We have discussed above how your assets are divided if you are married, have children but do not have a Will.

If you have children and are not married, then your assets are split equally between your children in the first instance.

There is no such thing as a ‘common-law husband or wife’ in relation to inheritance and so even if you have been ‘living as married’ your partner will not be entitled to any inheritance (unless they proceed with a lengthy legal claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975).

A Will allows you to put Trusts in place for your children so that you can set the age at which they inherit (rather than them inheriting at 18) and also allows you to provide for any vulnerable children that you may have, such as those with disabilities to ensure that their money is looked after and also doesn’t have any impact on their benefits in the future.

Another important aspect of a Will when you are a parent, is appointing Guardians!

Appointing Guardians in your Will gives you the opportunity to appoint the people that you trust to look after your children, and bring them up, should you no longer be around to do so. This saves any lengthy court cases and prevents the children from having to go into care or into the control of the Local Authorities whilst Legal Guardians are found for them.

These are just a few milestones that may trigger the need for a Will, we would encourage everyone over the age of 18 to get a Will (of course we would!) but apart from anything else it just means that you have peace of mind knowing that everything will be as YOU want it, and it removes that burden from your loved ones at what will already be a terribly difficult time for them.

How difficult is it to make a Will?

The process is quite simple, an initial meeting where we discuss your needs and take instructions should take no longer than an hour. Your Will writer can then draft the documents and arrange another meeting to sign everything off and make it legally valid. The process can be completed in just a few days depending on how complex your Will may be.

If you have any questions, would like to consider putting a Will in place or a FREE review of your existing Will, please call us on 01727 865121 or drop us an email Info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk

Leah Waller

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23rd January 202023rd April 2020

There are two certainties in life…

There are two certainties in life…

Benjamin Franklin is famous for stating:

...in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

Benjamin Franklin

Now, we are only too aware that many people don’t want to talk about death, let alone their own or that of a loved one BUT this leaves a heavy burden on your surviving loved ones upon your death, not only emotionally but possibly even financially.

When getting sorted for when the time comes, one thing that we cannot recommend highly enough is a FUNERAL PLAN.

Putting a Funeral Plan in place gives you the peace of mind that your Funeral is organised, how you want and (most importantly, for many!) the Funeral Director services are paid for in advance.

This not only has the benefit of putting your mind at ease but also takes the financial burden off of your loved one at what is already a difficult time.

We set out below a table of the average cost of a Funeral throughout the years, as well as the predicted costs for 2020 and 2023, and you will see just how much those costs are increasing. It doesn’t take a genius to see that these increases are far above those of inflation!

Putting a Funeral Plan in place guarantees that all of the Funeral Directors service costs are covered and takes away the stress of putting the arrangements in place as this can all be done with a call to activate the plan.

If you would like more information or to discuss putting a funeral plan in place, call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk for a free, relaxed and considerate discussion on how we can help

Leah Waller

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13th November 201923rd April 2020

Starting a conversation about the ‘Elephant in the Room’

Starting a conversation about the ‘Elephant in the Room’

With over 30million people in the UK without a Will, there are so many reasons that it is one of those things that gets put off, moves down the ‘To-Do List’ and sometimes just never ever gets done BUT it doesn’t have to be the difficult conversation that many expect!

Many of us put off making a Will because we don’t want to tempt fate or presume that those we want to take care of will be able to inherit our assets anyway but that isn’t always the case.

Where there is no Will, the Rules of Intestacy kick in and this means that you lose control over who you would want to inherit and this is chosen for you…

So, if you are one of those 30million that have been putting off making a Will, or have a Will that may need updating, why not take a look at some of these considerations…

Who do you want to inherit your Estate?

We all would like to think we are immortal, right?

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case and so we should have consideration for who we would want to benefit from everything we have worked hard for, when we are no longer around.

This will depend on your circumstances and is likely to change at different stages of your life, depending on your relationships, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, perhaps even godchildren or second marriages.

Estate Valuation

The value of your Estate is calculated by totalling everything that you possess, own or have an interest in at the date of your death (this will include property – residential, buy-to-lets, commercial and holiday homes), money, bank accounts, savings, ISAs, Stocks & Shares, Cars, Jewellery and personal possessions.

Any liabilities or debts will then be deducted from this total, including mortgages, loans, utility bills, credit cards plus any funeral expenses.

Inheritance Tax

If your Estate valuation totals more than £325,000 then you may have an Inheritance Tax Liability. However, there are other reliefs available including relief if you are leaving your residential property to direct descendants, if you have any business assets and if you are married or in a civil partnership and leaving your estate to your spouse or civil partner. It is worthwhile seeking advice from a professional in order to ensure you are taking advantage of all the reliefs that may be available to you.

There may also be other options available to you, depending on your Estate Valuation, your income and projected needs over your lifetime, in terms of Trusts and Financial planning to reduce any Inheritance Tax liability, again it is worthwhile seeking expert advice in relation to this.

Gifting

You may well benefit from making gifts during your lifetime, but this may not be possible for everyone.

Once you have a better idea of your Estate Valuation, who you want to benefit from your Estate upon your passing and whether you have any Inheritance Tax Liability, you may want to consider whether you could benefit from making gifts during your lifetime.

Each of us is able to make gifts of £3,000 each year without attracting any Inheritance Tax liability (and we can carry this over for one-year too!).

However, any gifts that exceed this may still be liable for Inheritance Tax if made within seven years of your death…again, we would recommend seeking professional advice if you are considering making gifts during your lifetime.

Wishes

Do your loved ones know what your plans are for the future, do you have certain expectations in relation to your later life care (this could be dealt with in a Lasting Power of Attorney) or perhaps even your funeral?

You may even want to give gifts in your Will with a condition attached (upon reaching a certain age, to be used for certain circumstances or only to be received upon meeting a condition).

Setting these out can be really helpful, not only in giving you peace of mind but also in preventing any unnecessary arguments or disputes when you are no longer around.

Charities

Another consideration that may be worth thinking about, is whether you would like to leave anything to Charity upon your passing.

If you are leaving 10% or more of your Estate to a Charity then your Inheritance Tax Liability will be reduced from 40% to 36%.

We are always happy to have a free chat to answer any questions that you may have, offer advice or help you to put something in place.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss putting a Will in place, call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk for a free consultation

Leah Waller

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6th November 201923rd April 2020

Will the Government Inherit my Assets?

Will the Government Inherit my Assets?

Without a Will in place, everything that you have worked hard for is left beyond your control. Having a Will in place (that is up to date!) is the only way to ensure that the people you want to benefit from everything that you have worked hard for, actually do!

In the absence of a Will, the Rules of Intestacy decode where your hard earned assets end up and this may not be where you would have chosen…

There are more than 30 million people in the UK without a Will, so if you haven’t got your in place yet, you are not alone! BUT, that is no excuse to sit back and relax!

Many of us put off the talks around later life planning for fear of tempting fate or upsetting someone but this has led to an eye-watering £48million of deceased property being unclaimed and so passing to the Crown!

Something else you may want to consider is, whether Care Home fees will be eating into everything you have worked for…

These talks do not have to be all doom and gloom!

That is where we come in!

We are more than happy to discuss what you want, put plans in place and give advice. Whilst none of us want to expect the worst, we should always plan for it…having peace of mind that we are covered no matter what happens is a great feeling!

So, instead of avoiding those all important conversations like the plague, open up the conversation, discuss it with your family and if you need advice, have any questions or want to get something in place…set up a FREE CONSULTATION with us.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a free consultation, call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk

Leah Waller

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23rd October 201923rd April 2020

What to do after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

What to do after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

Whether receiving a diagnosis for yourself or a loved one, it is a very difficult time, so much information to take in and lots of changes on the horizon. It can be overwhelming.

Depending on where you are on your journey when the diagnosis takes place, may depend on the amount of information you already have and what is available.

Here we set out a simple list of steps that should be taken upon diagnosis to help you set off on the right path…

Knowledge is Power

You may have had experience with Alzheimer’s or Dementia before, or this may well be your first encounter, either way there may be symptoms that you are not aware of or have not experienced before.

The more you can learn the better. The phrase “forewarned is forearmed” comes to mind. The more we know, the better we can prepare.

There is a lot of support around online, groups, professionals, carers, families and individuals that have also been diagnosed all navigating a similar journey. Linking up with these groups and support can be beneficial mentally and emotionally.

Allow yourself to feel

As we have said, receiving a diagnosis for yourself or a loved one, is a very difficult time, so much information to take in and lots of changes on the horizon. Allowing yourself to go through the emotions you are feeling is okay.

You are not superhuman or a robot and taking time to acknowledge and process those emotions is invaluable.

There is no ‘correct path’ of emotions to take and so feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, disappointment and disbelief are all natural feelings.

Getting into a Routine

Getting organised and into a routine can really help, not only in terms of getting into good habits but to help set out early where everyone is, what should be done when and to know what is expected when. This is vital as the Alzheimer’s or Dementia progresses as routine and structure will be a necessity.

Alzheimer’s affects memory and so having a structured routine can help keep track of medication, appointments, activities and day-to-day tasks.

Routine can help to reduce stress, anxiety and frustration and increase independence and feelings of security.

Ensure your LEGAL and FINANCIAL affairs are in order

Managing your financial and legal affairs is impossible once capacity is lost.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia does not automatically mean that capacity is lost and so arranging the correct legal authorities are in place, whilst you have capacity to do so is vital.

You may consider reviewing your Will but also putting Lasting Powers of Attorney in place so that the person that you choose, and trust, has the authority to deal with your matters (financial, property, health and welfare) when you are no longer able to do so.

We are always happy to have a free chat with you about this – CLICK HERE

Look at what CAN be done

Once a diagnosis is received is very easy to see this as a disabling disease that will only get worse and therefore discount capabilities, activities and all those things that were much loved prior to the diagnosis.

THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THE CASE!

It is so important to consider what can still be achieved, the preferences, opinions and desires of the person living with Alzheimer’s.

A diagnosis doesn’t always mean that a person is incapable and they won’t necessarily lose their desire to carry out those activities that they used to love. Being able to carry this on for as long as is safe can be great for independence, self-esteem not to mention physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Consider a Care Plan

It is inevitable that as the Alzheimer’s or Dementia progresses the need for care will increase, as will appointments with an array of professionals.

There may be a range of people helping with care, loved ones, family, friends and professionals, and a care plan can assist with setting out who is responsible for what, what is expected and when this is expected.

Having a plan for now, as well as having discussions about what may be needed as the condition progresses, and how this could be catered for can save a lot of stress in the future.

Diagnosis is NOT the End

It is natural to feel that there is no light at the end of the tunnel or struggle to see what there is to be grateful for when receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia as the road ahead can seem somewhat bleak and overwhelming however, this doesn’t have to be the case.

Taking into account point 5 above and looking at what can be done means that it is not the end…fun can still be had, knowledge can still be gained and relationships can still develop.

Yes, things will be different but that does not mean it has to be worse.

You are NOT alone

Remember, whether you are the one that has been diagnosed, a loved one or caregiver…you are NOT alone.

There are lots of support groups out there, those that you can attend locally and National support groups that you can access online.

We have a list of upcoming events that maybe local to you on our website HERE.

There are no stupid questions and so we should not be afraid to ask for help or assistance.

Everyone’s journey is different, neither right nor wrong. We all have different experiences and can learn something new.

If you would like a free chat to see how we can help or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch for a FREE consultation on info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Dementia TLC

Did you know we have a whole website dedicated to Dementia, those living with Dementia and their Caregivers?

Check it out HERE!

Leah Waller

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9th October 201923rd April 2020

How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube: What’s the Link?

How to Solve the Rubik’s: What’s the Link?

Rubik’s Cubes and Total Legacy Care…what is the link?

This is something that we are SO SO passionate about so, let us enlighten you!

As a legal firm, we protect our clients with Lasting Powers of Attorney but we wanted to do something to go the extra mile for our clients. That’s when we decided to help our clients to not only protect themselves if they were to lose capacity in the future, by putting Lasting Powers of Attorneys in place, but ensure they take measures to keep their minds active and have some fun in the process. Learning to solve the Rubik’s Cube has some amazing benefits…

The Rubik’s Cube is often referred to as the IMPOSSIBLE TOY but everyone recognises the iconic cube and it often brings back memories from childhood, whether that be elation at solving the cube or frustration at not being able to!

We are so passionate about the positive benefits that the Rubik’s Cube can have that we have committed to giving each of our clients a Rubik’s Cube when we have finished registering their Lasting Powers of Attorney BUT WHY?

The Rubik’s Cube is not only for the younger generations but for ALL of us! Some of the benefits that we have already seen from our voluntary projects include; improved dexterity and coordination, memory improvement as well as a reduction in anxiety, getting social, engagement and socialising with others (and maybe even those that you wouldn’t usually!).

So, what exactly do TLC do?

Not only are we great believers in the positive benefits of the Rubik’s Cube at any age, we are always keen to HAVE FUN!

We give a Rubik’s Cube to each client upon registration of their Lasting Powers of Attorney and have just finished recording our videos that will teach YOU how to solve the Rubik’s Cube in just EIGHT steps!

A Lasting Power of Attorney in relation to your Health and Welfare only comes into effect when you have lost capacity (either physically or mentally, or both) and are unable to make decisions for yourself, whereas a Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney can come into effect immediately upon registration or upon losing capacity, depending on your decision. So, here at TLC we don’t just want to help you in the future…we want to help you now! Hence the Rubik’s Cube. We genuinely believe that the positive benefits of the Rubik’s Cube, learning to solve it and keeping your mind active each day will have lasting effects on your health and wellbeing going forward and so that is our gift to you.

We currently run projects throughout Care Homes and Day Centres to teach people, largely the older generation (we are talking 30plus, so definitely not old!), how to SOLVE THE RUBIK’S CUBE.

We have taken solving the Rubik’s cube and simplified it to open it up to all ages and abilities. Through trial and error, and with the help of a group of elderly participants, we have devised a course of eight sessions with simple videos to accompany them. The videos will be released on FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER and will be available on our website and on YouTube (so, keep your eyes peeled).

Our main aim is to HAVE FUN but solving the Rubik’s Cube keeps the mind active and has already demonstrated that is is key in helping the residents within a Care Home or Day Centre setting to learn (or re-learn) a skill – solving the Rubik’s cube, whilst having the benefits of improving their hand-eye coordination and giving them something a bit different from the norm.

We are keen to explore a link between solving the Rubik’s Cube and stimulating and improving short-term memory (similar to those studies with Sudoku, Crosswords and chess), a symptom of Dementia that is common across most types of the condition. Keeping the mind active has numerous benefits and can keep connections within the brain communicating to improve a person’s daily activities and communication skills.

At present we are often found in Care Homes and Day Centres teaching our lessons on how to solve the Rubik’s Cube, we are currently in talks with an Autism Charity to develop a scheme for them too as the benefits for those with Autism could be just as positive and rewarding!

This is a project we are super passionate about and are always happy to discuss.

If this is something that you would be interested in for yourself,or a group that you are involved in or just want to have a chat or find out more, please do GET IN TOUCH!

And, if Lasting Powers of Attorney is something that you have been thinking about, or putting off, now is a great time to get your plans in place!

Before we go…

We couldn’t write an article about this without mentioning our latest involvement with Rubik’s:

🏆GUINNESS WORLD RECORD🏆

We are so proud to be a part of the Guinness World Record for…

The most contributions to a Rubik’s Mosaic. With 308 individuals contributing to the final mosaic, it was a brilliant achievement!

Thank you so much to Rubik’s Brand Limited and Torgeir Amundsen (Cube Arting) and CONGRATULATIONS!

We absolutely LOVE teaching all generations how to solve the Rubik’s Cube and it was our pleasure to help as many as we could to be involved in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD! 🧡

Solving the Rubik’s Cube has so many POSITIVE BENEFITS!

If you would like more information, to discuss a project with

a group you are involved with,

or are thinking about putting Lasting Powers of Attorney in place,

call us on 01727 865 121 or email us at info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk

Leah Waller

Have a Question or
want to book a
FREE Consultation?

2nd October 201923rd April 2020

Wouldn’t it be great if we could predict the future?

Wouldn't it be great if we could predict the future?

We all have busy lives and so sometimes just predicting what today is going to ring is an achievement, let alone way into the future! It would be great though, wouldn’t it 😉

Unfortunately, none of us know what is just around the corner and so planning for it is key. That is where Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) come in! LPAs are relevant during your lifetime and ensure that someone that you trust and have appointed as your Attorney can act on your behalf when you are unable to. Check out our article, Why Do YOU need an LPA? 5 reasons YOU should put your LPA in place for more information on LPAs.

We all know that age is going to hit us hard at some point but that ‘point’ is way off in the future, right? Unfortunately, this may not be the case…

Just looking at a few celebrities, we can see that an LPA may be needed a lot sooner than we would have hoped!

Chris Tarrant was just 67 years of age when he suffered a stroke that led to an emergency operation and ongoing rehabilitation to help him to regain his speech and physical movement.

Michael Schumacher was only 44 years old when a skiing accident resulted in him being placed into a medically induced coma (for six months!) and suffering life-threatening head injuries.

Micahel Schmacher is a father of two children, who were aged just 14 and 16 at the time of the accident.

Richard Hammond was involved in an awful car accident whilst filming for Top Gear at the age of just 37 causing major brain damage after being in a coma for two-weeks, this also led to significant memory loss and depression.

However, it is not just celebrities that this happens to and when we take a look at the facts, they are hard-hitting! Just a couple of statistics for you:

Every 90-SECONDS, someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a brain injury;
Every THREE-MINUTES, someone in the UK is diagnosed with Dementia (and this is not just a condition that affects those over 65!);
Every FIVE-MINUTES, someone in the UK suffers from a stroke;
One in Six people within the UK will have a stroke during their lifetime;

So, enough of the doom and gloom….

What can we do to ensure we are protected, plan for our future and our family’s future and give us some much needed peace of mind?

The answer is a simple one…. Get your Lasting Powers of Attorney in place whilst you still have capacity to do so!

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:

Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney; and
Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney.

(to find out more about these check out our article Why do I need an LPA?)

An LPA allows you to appoint an Attorney, or Attorneys, to make decisions for you, and on your behalf when you are unable to. This could just be a temporary measure due to a temporary loss of capacity either physically or mentally or a more permanent arrangement.

You can give your Attorneys guidance and state your preferences, should you choose to do so, within your LPAs and set out the extent of the power that you want your Attorneys to have.

So, what if you don’t get around to getting these all important LPAs in place?

If you do not register LPAs whilst you have the capacity to do so then you lose control to a certain extent as it is then for your loved ones, or a professional, to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order in order to manage your financial affairs on your behalf.

This process is costly – a court fee of £385, not to mention legal fees if you seek legal advice and potentially a fee for a professional to verify your lack of capacity to support the application being made, and timely – the application can take around 4 months to be granted from the date of submission however, if there are objections made to the application then this process can take 9-12 months!

Once you have lost capacity you lose the ability to choose who you want to appoint to manage your affairs for you and ultimately the choice is left to the Court of Protection – this may not be who you would have chosen had you been able to make the choice yourself.

You also lose the opportunity to give guidance to your appointed Attorneys and advise of your preferences.

In relation to your health and welfare, if you do not make an LPA to cover this whilst you have the capacity to the Court of Protection will be reluctant to appoint a Deputy in relation to your healthcare decisions unless the circumstances are extremely complex. Again, meaning you lose the control to appoint who you trust to make decisions on your behalf.

Getting an LPA in place doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming or expensive and can ensure that you have peace of mind and take the burden away from those closest to you.

If you would like a free chat to see how we can help or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch for a FREE consultation on info@TotalLegacyCare.co.uk or 01727 865 121

Leah Waller

Have a Question or
want to book a
FREE Consultation?

Lasting Power of Attorney:The Basics

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What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Why is a Lasting Power of Attorney important?

Can I put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place after being diagnosed with Dementia?

What is involved in making a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Advice for Attorneys What are my Rights & Responsibilities as an Attorney?

Responsibilities

Rights

Remember, your role as an Attorney is to EMPOWER the person that has appointed you as an Attorney and to help them make decisions for themselves or to take those decisions for them, in their best interest and as they would have done, had they been able to do so.

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When should I get a Will?

There are two certainties in life…

Starting a conversation about the ‘Elephant in the Room’

Will the Government Inherit my Assets?

What to do after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia TLC

How to Solve the Rubik’s: What’s the Link?

🏆GUINNESS WORLD RECORD🏆

Wouldn't it be great if we could predict the future?

Lasting Power of Attorney:
The Basics

Advice for Attorneys
What are my Rights & Responsibilities as an Attorney?