Supporting adults with learning disabilities and their families
Vincents Solicitors has joined up with Linkability, the Lancashire charity which supports adults with learning difficulties for a series of seminars. The tie-in will see Vincents’ director Lisa Lodge work with families and carers to provide free guidance about issues specifically affecting them.
Top of the agenda for Lisa’s first visit to the Linkability Family Forum in Preston were Wills, Trusts, Deputyships and Lasting Power of Attorney, with many questions coming from parents worried about their adult children’s future.
“Planning for the time when you are no longer around to care for and advocate for your child is a scary prospect for any parent, but that worry is intensified when your child has a disability,” said Lisa, who is Head of Vincents private client department and a court-appointed Deputy and Attorney for people with limited capacity.
“The Court of Protection exists to provide safety and security for vulnerable people, and we as lawyers can help families to set up the financial and legal framework to ensure their loved one is looked after properly in the future.”
She outlined how Wills and Trusts can be used to make sure family assets are protected and used to financially support a loved one, and how a Lasting Power of Attorney or a Deputyship allows appointment of a specially chosen person to manage their affairs and look out for their best interests, and who is fully answerable to the Court of Protection.
Lisa added: “As a professional Deputy and Attorney I am entrusted with arranging financial matters and care packages for people unable to do so for themselves. I am accountable to the client, their family and the Court of Protection itself. For these families, this would ensure the individual, their money, health, and wellbeing are protected and managed in the manner their parents would have wanted, and provides peace of mind for all concerned.”
Lisa was invited to speak at the Forum by Jane Martin, Assistant Director at Linkability Preston. The charity provides a range of service for adults with learning difficulties including live-in care, home visits and fun social activities, and support for their families and carers.
She said: “This is one of the biggest concerns for older parents, especially those without any other family members able to take on the care of their loved one, so I reached out to Lisa to see if she would be willing to meet with them. People are often scared of asking these questions but she was so lovely. The families really appreciated Lisa explaining things in simple terms and providing so much practical advice, it was really reassuring for them.
“Everyone’s situation is different but all our parent carers want the very best for their adult children and planning for their future is absolutely crucial, so I’m grateful Lisa has agreed to come back again to meet with more Linkability members at future Forum sessions in Preston and Chorley. She also pointed out that a Court of Protection specialist could help a family at any time, taking away some of the pressures of managing affairs today, and allowing family members to just concentrate on enjoying their time together.”
Lisa added: “I am absolutely passionate about improving access to legal guidance and helping people to understand what help and protection is available to them and their loved ones via the law. We know it can be daunting and upsetting to consider these things and that’s one of the reasons we partner with charities like Linkability, to provide that support in a friendly, informal manner and let the discussion be led by the members themselves.”
Lisa will attend the next Linkability Family Forum at Conway House in Chorley on November 22nd at 6pm. Members will receive a personal invitation and non-members who wish to attend are asked to contact Jane Martin directly via [email protected] or go to www.linkability.org.uk
To contact Lisa Lodge, Vincents’ Court of Protection, or Wills and Trusts specialists, please call 01995 606 442 or email [email protected]
