Financial abuse of vulnerable people is on the increase in the UK, despite the legal systems which are in place to protect them.
If someone lacks the mental capacity to manage their own affairs, someone will either be managing them informally (such as a friend or carer) or on a formal basis by a court-appointed deputy or attorney.
The specialist lawyers in Lanyon Bowdler’s Court of Protection understand the symptoms of financial abuse and are regularly instructed to assist with the removal of deputies and attorneys. Our Court of Protection Solicitors also advise in other circumstances, such as objections to an application to the Court of Protection by someone suspected as being unsuitable to act as an attorney or deputy.
Being familiar with the warning signs makes it much easier to stop any suspected abuse at an early stage. Things to look out for include:
Suspicions should first be given to your local police or council’s Vulnerable Adult Unit, depending on the circumstances.
Where the suspect is an attorney under a registered Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney, or a court-appointed deputy, options include notifying the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) who can investigate the claims under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, or applying directly to the Court of Protection to remove and replace the deputy or attorney - which is where Lanyon Bowdler would come in.
Please give us a call for a friendly, confidential, chat about how our court of protection solicitors can help. There is no obligation or charge for our initial assessment. Please contact a member of the team or complete our online enquiry form on the righthand side of this page.
By choosing Lanyon Bowdler as your legal partner, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise on hand to help if you feel that someone under the protection of the Court of Protection is being unfairly or fraudulently mistreated
We are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care and will work closely with you and tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes no matter what you face. Our team have great experience in all Court of Protection matters including where Personal Injury Trusts are set up following settlements of brain injury claims
We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry and Telford, so are able to act for clients all over Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and across the Midlands and Birmingham. As a leading UK full-service law firm, we can represent you wherever you live in the UK.
For more advice about how we can help, please contact Neil Davies, Head of Court of Protection, or a member of his team.
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Lanyon Bowdler is a trading name of Lanyon Bowdler LLP which is a limited liability partnership incorporated in England and Wales, registered number OC351948.
Lanyon Bowdler is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). SRA number: 534828.
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