Articles by ‘Mandy Casavant’

For many, owning a home is a result of a life’s hard work which they hope to pass on to loved ones after death. It can come as a shock to realise that their home may need to be sold to fund their care at a care home. Care funding can seem like a complicated area to get to grips with so we explain the key areas in more detail.

Organ donation is an emotionally charged topic. On the one hand it is impossible to separate it from the grief and sadness that comes with a person’s death. On the other, it provides a unique opportunity to save someones life, and can allow something positive to exist in its place by giving comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

No matter how much your house is worth, most people will have buildings insurance as it’s generally a requirement of most mortgage lenders. But it’s a little known fact that not buying contents insurance for your property is getting some wealthy individuals who employ staff on their properties into hot water.

The Office of the Public Guardian is dealing with an increasing number of Lasting Powers of Attorney applications for registration. Unfortunately, there will always be cases of misuse and abuse where trust is involved. Here are steps that can be taken to minimise the risk of misuse or abuse if you make a Lasting Power of Attorney.

There has been a recent increase in cohabiting couples marrying at the last minute. So-called ‘deathbed weddings’ are to ensure that the surviving partner receives financial support when their spouse dies. The problem is that cohabiting couples are not treated the same as couples who are married or in a Civil Partnership, and could therefore suffer some shocking consequences as a result.

As people look for alternative ways to invest their money there are increasing numbers of estates which include digital currencies. However there are several issues that can arise, which can make dealing with their administration complex, time consuming and in some cases can mean that the asset is lost in its entirety. 

Retirement has been changing; with longer life expectancy, changing working habits and older generations increasingly assisting younger generations. For those planning their futures, it can be essential to take estate planning advice, make Lasting Powers of Attorney and keep an up to date Will.

In a world where technology is rapidly changing, and wealth and assets are becoming increasingly fragmented and difficult to define, managing your legacy and understanding the value of your family’s assets is not simple. Specialist Mandy Casavant discusses the importance of making sure your family know the value of your collections and assets, and how our unique Life Safe portal can help you do this.

This month saw a care home fraudster, David Barton, sentenced to 21 years in jail for conspiracy to defraud and for theft offences against elderly and vulnerable residents at his nursing home. Reports such as these highlight the possibility of fraud and theft against elderly and vulnerable people. We look at how making a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) agreement can protect your finances and welfare, and the decisions made around them.

Recently within the press there have been concerns raised about the possible abuse of Lasting Powers of Attorney. These documents are incredibly important and really helpful if you or a loved one lose the ability to deal with your affairs. At RWK Goodman we prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney based on the needs and circumstances of the individual. We are able to include safeguards within the document to try to prevent any misuse of it and we can advise on what is appropriate for each client.

It only seems like five minutes ago we were celebrating Christmas and heralding the arrival of 2018. It is often around this time that best laid plans for New Year Resolutions start to unravel but sometimes decisions you make really do need to be seen through – especially when they are going to make life much easier for your loved ones and friends.