Getting an Alzheimer's diagnosis can bring a lot of uncertainty for the person diagnosed and their loved ones. Along with considering their health and care, it’s important to think about what will happen to someone's finances and property if they stop being able to manage them.

At Pryers, we understand that the role of a Court of Protection professional trustee extends far beyond financial management. It is about supporting people to live full, meaningful and independent lives, and sometimes having the privilege of witnessing truly extraordinary achievements.

Last week marked Action for Brain Injury Week, an annual awareness campaign led by Headway, a charity dedicated to improving life after brain injury. This year’s theme, “We See You”, highlights the isolation and loneliness that many brain injury survivors and their families experience every day.

Members of our Court of Protection team were delighted to recently attend the Wigginton Brain Health Café, hosted by Dementia Forward, to speak about some of the important legal issues families may need to consider following a dementia diagnosis.

Every year, Mental Health Awareness Week encourages individuals to reflect on the importance of mental wellbeing and the ways we can better support vulnerable people in our communities.

At Pryers, our Court of Protection team sees first-hand the critical role that thoughtful legal planning and sensitive financial management play in safeguarding the wellbeing and independence of neurodivergent clients.

HMRC has been reminding families to check whether they have money waiting in a Child Trust Fund. It is estimated that more than 750,000 Child Trust Funds have matured without being claimed, with an average value of over £2,200. For many young people, that could make a meaningful difference.

Families who support a vulnerable person often want the same things: security, dignity and the best quality of life possible. When a person lacks mental capacity, managing money can become more complex. Without the right arrangements in place, there is a risk that they may not receive the benefits they are entitled to, or that their funds may not be used in the best way to support their needs.

When a loved one loses the mental capacity to make important decisions, it can be a deeply emotional and confusing time. The Court of Protection exists to help families and professionals make those decisions lawfully and in the person’s best interests, but the process can feel daunting if you’re unfamiliar with it.

The Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments that could change the legal test for when a vulnerable person is considered to be deprived of their liberty. This revisits the well-known Cheshire West judgment, which has shaped how care arrangements are authorised for people who lack mental capacity.

When someone is unable to make important decisions about their finances, property, or welfare due to a lack of mental capacity, the Court of Protection steps in to help. It ensures that vulnerable people are protected, and that their affairs are managed in their best interests.

When a loved one is no longer able to manage their money due to illness, injury, or disability, it can feel overwhelming. In these situations, the Court of Protection can provide a legal solution by allowing someone else to step in and manage finances on behalf of the person who lacks capacity.

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner made headlines this week after she appeared to not pay enough tax on her second property. But what do Trusts have to do with it?

Receiving a compensation payout after an accident or injury can be life-changing. It may provide financial security, help with care costs, and support your long-term recovery. But many people don’t realise that without the right planning, a compensation award could affect entitlement to means-tested benefits. That's where a Personal Injury Trust comes in.

When Child Trust Funds (CTFs) were introduced in 2005, they were designed to give every child born in the UK between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 a financial start for adulthood. Parents, family members and even the Government could pay into the account, and the child would access the money at age 18. But what happens if, when the child turns 18, they lack the mental capacity to manage their own finances?

Welcoming Shanice Blackwood-Martin, Zoe Gospel and Sian Thompson to the Pryers team.