Help for Carers > Legal matters

Legal matters

Will / Executor
Human rights
Guardian
Power of Attorney/Lasting Power of Attorney
Court of Protection
Advocacy

If you have any concerns about any legal matters it is advisable to consult a solicitor. It can sometimes be difficult to tell whether you need to speak to one in which case these people may be able to offer advice free of charge

• Your local West Sussex Carers Support Services (formerly West Sussex Carers Network)
• The Citizens Advice Bureau (The Citizen's Advice Bureau - A national voluntary organisation providing free information and advice on a wide range of issues. The website contains a great deal of useful information on a huge range of topics.)
• Law Centres
• Disability advice services

Solicitors do usually charge a fee, though occasionally some will give a short initial interview at low cost or free of charge. They should also be able to check if you can have help paying these costs. Common aspects of law and caring include:

• Getting someone to speak for you (Advocacy)
• Getting legal permission to manage money and property for someone who is no longer able to (Court of Protection)
• Appointing someone to manage money and property for you should you lose your ability to act (Lasting Power of Attorney)
• Appointing someone to manage your wishes for you after your death (Executor)
• Appointing someone to care for any children should both parents die (Guardian)
• Basic rights of everybody protected by international law (Human Rights)
• Stating your wishes for managing your money and property after your death (Will)

You can get more information from:

www.lawsociety.org.uk/ - website for the Law Society

www.rightsnet.org.uk - welfare Rights website for advice workers, maintained by the London Advice Service Alliance (LASA).

ww.dls.org.uk - Disability law service website, a national charity providing information and advice to disabled people on public and social welfare law.

There are people who can help:

West Sussex Carers Support Services (formerly West Sussex Carers Network)

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