If someone is able to give any advice or any suggestions as to who else can help I'd be really grateful. Apologies for the long post.
I'm trying to figure out whether to apply for deputyship for my mum, who was diagnosed with dementia last year and has been in a care home for a year now (on a temporary contract as she is consistently objecting to being in a home). I was looking at trying to get LPA but feel we're probably past that stage. I had to get a solicitor involved with that as I couldn't find anyone to act as certificate provider, the solicitor met with mum and told me they would need a formal capacity assessment done as they weren't sure mum understood. I had trouble trying to find someone to do an assessment, eventually got in touch with someone doing them privately who said it sounded like it wouldn't be worth doing, and suggested deputyship instead.
Mum's social worker has said the council would apply for deputyship if I don't, they would then be in control of mum's finances. But would this necessarily be a bad thing? I have looked at all the forms and guidance online and it is so lengthy and complex, I don't want to do it if I don't need to. It would also be a huge information gathering exercise - I don't have details of all of mum's bank accounts, credit cards, I don't have her will (they ask for a copy), I don't know how much her flat is worth so would have to get a valuation done presumably? Because I don't have oversight of all her finances the form says I would need to get an interim court order to then get information from banks etc. How much time and energy would this all take?
I could go to a solicitor which I guess would mean they do a lot of this instead? I don't really understand how it would work though. Presumably they would still need some information from me as well? And does anyone know how much extra that would cost?
Earlier today I called the Alzheimers Society phoneline but unfortunately the lady I spoke to wasn't helpful and couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know. She mentioned calling the Office of the Public Guardian so I called them afterwards, they also couldn't help with any specifics around the application. They said the only people who could advise me is the Court of Protection, but they told me they're impossible to get through to on the phone and also they are "useless". At which point I took myself off for a long walk to calm down...
I just can't believe we are left to somehow muddle through something this involved and complex with absolutely no help.
Mum doesn't have much money or income - she has accrued a lot in the last year but this will be going towards her care costs at some stage (a financial assessment hasn't been done yet, although I've been told today that I just need to fill in the assessment form as best I can because otherwise they will bill mum the full cost of her care). Also her flat will need to be sold. But maybe it would be better if the council sorted that out themselves? At least that way I can truthfully tell mum it's them, not me. The way the deputyship application is worded, it would feel like I was formally going against mum in court, and that makes me really uncomfortable.
I'm trying to figure out whether to apply for deputyship for my mum, who was diagnosed with dementia last year and has been in a care home for a year now (on a temporary contract as she is consistently objecting to being in a home). I was looking at trying to get LPA but feel we're probably past that stage. I had to get a solicitor involved with that as I couldn't find anyone to act as certificate provider, the solicitor met with mum and told me they would need a formal capacity assessment done as they weren't sure mum understood. I had trouble trying to find someone to do an assessment, eventually got in touch with someone doing them privately who said it sounded like it wouldn't be worth doing, and suggested deputyship instead.
Mum's social worker has said the council would apply for deputyship if I don't, they would then be in control of mum's finances. But would this necessarily be a bad thing? I have looked at all the forms and guidance online and it is so lengthy and complex, I don't want to do it if I don't need to. It would also be a huge information gathering exercise - I don't have details of all of mum's bank accounts, credit cards, I don't have her will (they ask for a copy), I don't know how much her flat is worth so would have to get a valuation done presumably? Because I don't have oversight of all her finances the form says I would need to get an interim court order to then get information from banks etc. How much time and energy would this all take?
I could go to a solicitor which I guess would mean they do a lot of this instead? I don't really understand how it would work though. Presumably they would still need some information from me as well? And does anyone know how much extra that would cost?
Earlier today I called the Alzheimers Society phoneline but unfortunately the lady I spoke to wasn't helpful and couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know. She mentioned calling the Office of the Public Guardian so I called them afterwards, they also couldn't help with any specifics around the application. They said the only people who could advise me is the Court of Protection, but they told me they're impossible to get through to on the phone and also they are "useless". At which point I took myself off for a long walk to calm down...
I just can't believe we are left to somehow muddle through something this involved and complex with absolutely no help.
Mum doesn't have much money or income - she has accrued a lot in the last year but this will be going towards her care costs at some stage (a financial assessment hasn't been done yet, although I've been told today that I just need to fill in the assessment form as best I can because otherwise they will bill mum the full cost of her care). Also her flat will need to be sold. But maybe it would be better if the council sorted that out themselves? At least that way I can truthfully tell mum it's them, not me. The way the deputyship application is worded, it would feel like I was formally going against mum in court, and that makes me really uncomfortable.
