Explore Our Trusted Elderly Legal Services
How We Can Help
Our experienced elderly legal services solicitors provide clear, practical and compassionate support for you and your family.
We explain how the process works from the start, what to do first, what information and documents you may need, and which legal options are available, so you can make confident decisions and feel more in control of later life planning.
We know that decisions about Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection, trusts and estate planning can be both personal and complex.
That's why we guide you step by step, explaining the legal and financial implications in plain English and helping you choose the right approach for your circumstances.
We can help with:
- Preparing and updating Wills
- Lasting Powers of Attorney for property, financial affairs, health and welfare
- Court of Protection and Deputyship applications
- Estate planning and inheritance tax planning
- Trusts to protect assets and provide for future generations
- Care home fee planning and advice
- Protecting vulnerable individuals and those who lack mental capacity
- Probate and estate administration following the death of a loved one
Our Elderly Legal Services
Legal processes are not straightforward, and reliance on technology is increasing. These factors can make undertaking any legal transaction particularly daunting and difficult for older people. Our experienced solicitors will clearly explain the process and the options available.
We offer advice tailored to each client's needs and circumstances, so they get the best possible service and a solution that suits them.
Mental capacity is an issue relevant to us all, and our solicitors are experienced in dealing with vulnerable clients and their family members when the question of capacity arises. Our team always deal with matters in a practical and sensitive way.
Our office is easily accessible with on-site parking and ground-floor meeting rooms. If necessary, we can make home visits within a 5-mile radius of our office.
We can advise on how to manage your affairs if you should lose mental capacity during your lifetime, the best way to structure Lasting Powers of Attorney and to build in protective measures against financial abuse.
We will assist with preparing and registering your Lasting Powers of Attorney for both financial and health matters.
We can help you plan how to distribute your estate through your Will, mitigate Inheritance Tax and protect assets through the use of trusts after your death.
Court of Protection and Mental Capacity
If a loved one has lost mental capacity, our team can guide you through the legal steps needed to protect their interests.
In practice, this often involves applying to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order, which appoints a trusted person to make decisions on the individual’s behalf, typically relating to property and financial affairs.
We also explain the wider options families may need to consider, including how to manage day-to-day concerns while the application is prepared, what information the Court will require, and how to ensure decisions are made in the person’s best interests.
Care Home Fee Planning
We can advise on long-term care planning, including how gifting, property-related strategies and wider estate planning can work alongside trust planning and other legal options.
Many people worry that care home fees will significantly reduce their estate, but there are different options available, and the right approach depends on your circumstances, timing and risk level.
Our solicitors will explain the main options in plain English, including the potential benefits and pitfalls, so you can understand what may be possible, what could be challenged, and what safeguards may be needed.
We’ll also help you consider practical next steps to protect your assets to the extent permitted by law, while keeping the plan realistic and suitable for your family.
Our elderly legal services solicitors regularly help clients who are concerned about care fees.
We will set out the options in plain English, explain the potential benefits and pitfalls, and highlight any key risks so you can make an informed decision about the best way forward for your circumstances.
Who We Can Help
Our elderly legal services are designed to support older individuals, their families, and anyone helping to manage the affairs of a vulnerable loved one.
We regularly advise:
- Older individuals planning for later life
- Families supporting elderly relatives
- Attorneys acting under a Lasting Power of Attorney
- Deputies appointed by the Court of Protection
- Executors and personal representatives administering estates
- Individuals concerned about mental capacity or future care arrangements
- Clients wishing to protect their assets for future generations
- Those seeking advice on inheritance tax planning, trusts and care home fees
- Whether you are planning ahead or dealing with an urgent situation, our specialist solicitors will provide clear, practical advice tailored to your needs
- Our advice is always tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring you understand your options and can make informed decisions about your future
Our Approach
Our experienced team can deal with the whole process for you, starting with your options and the advantages and disadvantages of each method before you make an informed decision whether to proceed.
If we do not feel that a particular option is suitable for you, we will tell you so that you are not wasting your money.
We will not make false representations of what can be achieved.
We will work within the parameters of the legal framework set out and in accordance with the Law Society's best practice.
Elderly Legal Services FAQs
What are elderly legal services?
Elder law (also known as elderly legal services) is specialist legal advice for older people and their families. It focuses on planning ahead, protecting vulnerable individuals, and putting the right legal arrangements in place so your wishes are carried out and your interests are safeguarded.
Depending on your circumstances, elder law support can include:
- Making or updating a Will
- Creating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) for property and financial affairs, and health and welfare
- Court of Protection matters, such as Deputyship applications, when someone has lost mental capacity
- Estate planning and inheritance tax planning
- Using trusts to protect assets and provide for future generations
- Care home fee planning
- Probate and estate administration after a death
Our solicitors provide tailored advice to help you make informed decisions based on your personal circumstances.
When should I make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) should be made while you still have mental capacity.
It allows you to appoint trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so in the future.
Putting an LPA in place early can provide peace of mind and may avoid the need for a Court of Protection application later.
Read our guide to LPAs.
Do I need a solicitor to prepare my Will?
While you can prepare a Will yourself, using a solicitor helps ensure it is legally valid and accurately reflects your wishes.
Professional advice can also help minimise inheritance tax, protect vulnerable beneficiaries and reduce the risk of disputes after your death.
Many people planning for later life ask whether they need a Will or a trust. In simple terms, a Will sets out who will inherit your assets after your death.
A trust is a legal arrangement that can hold assets for the benefit of one or more people, with trustees managing those assets according to the trust terms.
For seniors, the key differences are usually about timing, control and flexibility:
- Timing: A Will generally takes effect after death. A trust can be set up during your lifetime (or sometimes through your Will), which may allow earlier planning.
- Control: With a Will, you decide who receives your estate. With a trust, you can also set out how and when beneficiaries receive benefits, and trustees oversee the arrangement.•
- Protection and planning: Trusts are often used to help with asset protection and to build in safeguards for vulnerable beneficiaries. They can also be part of inheritance tax planning strategies, depending on the circumstances.
It’s also important to note that a trust does not replace the need for a properly drafted Will. In practice, many families use both a will to deal with what happens to their estate and trusts to manage particular assets or provide for specific needs.
If you’d like to understand whether a trust is suitable for your situation, our elderly legal services solicitors can explain the options in plain English and help you choose the approach that best fits your goals.
Can you help with care home fee planning?
Yes. We can advise on the legal options available to help you plan for future care costs, including estate planning, trusts and gifting.
We will explain the available options and potential risks, so you can make informed decisions based on your individual circumstances.
How can I protect an elderly relative from financial abuse?
Planning ahead can significantly reduce the risk of financial abuse and exploitation.
One of the most effective safeguards is putting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place while you still have mental capacity, so you can choose trusted people to manage your finances if you can no longer do so yourself.
It’s also important to think about practical protections, such as:
- Setting clear authority limits for attorneys and reviewing them regularly
- Keeping control of key documents (banking details, passwords, and correspondence)
- Using trusted account arrangements and monitoring where appropriate
- Considering whether trust arrangements could help protect assets and provide for beneficiaries in a controlled way
If you’re worried about a loved one’s finances, we can help you take the next step, whether that’s advice on the right legal safeguards, or guidance on what to do if mental capacity has already been lost.
In those circumstances, we can advise on whether a Court of Protection application is the appropriate route to protect their interests and ensure decisions are made in their best interests.
What happens if someone loses mental capacity without a Lasting Power of Attorney?
If someone loses mental capacity before making a Lasting Power of Attorney, family members cannot automatically manage their finances or make decisions on their behalf.
In many cases, an application must be made to the Court of Protection for a Deputy to be appointed.
Our Court of Protection solicitors can guide you through the application process and advise on the most appropriate course of action.
Why Choose Myerson's Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team?
- Recognised Expertise: Our Private Client team is recognised as one of the UK's leading private wealth practices, winning Private Client Team of the Year – North of England and Private Client Trusts, Tax & Wealth Planning Team of the Year at the Private Client Modern Law Awards 2026, as well as being Highly Commended for Probate & Estate Administration Team of the Year. We also hold a Band 2 ranking in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide and have been recognised as a Top Tier firm by The Legal 500 for the past seven years.
- Qualified Professionals: Our team holds additional qualifications in trust administration and tax regimes for trusts, along with the prestigious STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) qualification. We have extensive experience setting up and managing live trusts, ensuring we understand the practicalities of trust operation and drafting.
- Comprehensive Support: We provide tailored advice that respects each client's unique circumstances and understands the emotional weight of estate matters. Our solicitors handle sensitive situations with care, offering support throughout the process.
- Holistic Approach: Our holistic strategy allows us to identify tax-saving opportunities and mitigate unexpected liabilities. We ensure clients comprehend the purpose and functioning of trusts, providing city-quality advice at regional prices.
- Partner-Led Service: Our partner-led approach guarantees the best legal advice and commercially minded support. We collaborate with corporate, family and property law teams, delivering a comprehensive service that addresses all aspects of estate management.
- Specialist Expertise: Our highly ranked team in The Legal 500 and Chambers for personal tax, trusts, and probate works closely with our contested wills solicitors to provide expert advice tailored to your needs.
- Recognised Leaders: Bik-ki Wong, Head of our Private Client team, has been recognised as one of the top influential private wealth lawyers in Manchester (2023) by Business Today and as one of the best probate and wills lawyers for high-net-worth individuals in the UK (2023) by Spear's.
- Extensive Network: Through our UK200 Group membership, we have strong connections to Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) and tax advisers, offering comprehensive support tailored to your specific requirements.
- Catering to Diverse Needs: Our team includes Cantonese speakers, ensuring effective communication and understanding in managing estates.
- With our MSI Global Alliance Membership, we can connect you to trusted advisers in 100+ countries who can provide international legal advice for individuals and families.
- Look at the Myerson Promise for further benefits of working with us here.
Testimonials
Mrs & Mr Wells
Laura Willis was very professional and dedicated a great deal of time to preparing our wills. Overall, we felt we were truly getting our money’s worth.
Mrs & Mr Brighouse
Hannah Owens really understood our requirements. She explained various options, including the use of trusts, and had a deep understanding of the issues & tax legislation. She was very easy to talk to.
Mr. A
I dealt with Hannah Owens and she was extremely helpful and professional. As a result, I would have no hesitation in recommending your firm to my friends if they required legal advice.
Mr. Fox
Ben kept me informed at all times. He dealt with my case in a quick and professional manner.
Mr Staples
Outstanding service from Aalia Ijaz and her team. I would recommend Myerson 100%.
Mr Lee
Ever since appointing Myerson, I have received the best of advice and action on matters of great concern to my family.
Mr Barker
Having dealt with many lawyers over the years, it was refreshing to find Myerson who were professional, prompt, courteous, along with going the extra mile for their clients. Very impressive. Thank you.
Mr Gough
Great staff and all conducted in an informative and constructive way. Nice new office which created the right atmosphere for my visits.
Mr. Frame
Myerson were extremely helpful in liaising with me to submit an application to the Court of Protection. The solicitor was very knowledgeable and efficient in obtaining the required information and processing the paperwork in a timely manner. I am delighted with the standard of the work.
Legal 500, 2024
Approachable, knowledgeable and competent.
Heather
Laura undertook to complete the distribution of my husband's will since my previous solicitor was unable to do it. A difficulty had arisen from the way the Inheritance Tax had been paid and Laura explained that I could solve my problem with a Deed of Assignment. I was happy to let her prepare this for me
Peter
Our business was dealt with by Bik-ki Wong who impressed us with her competency and efficiency, whilst remaining friendly and helpful at all times. Our queries were answered clearly and promptly giving us confidence that our business would be carried out to our complete satisfaction
Anonymous
Myerson have been our solicitors for several years. They have guided my husband and I in arranging making wills, lasting power of attorney and initially, after the death of my husband through the process of probate.
Mr P
Handled our personal wills very professionally. Really clear and “no-nonsense” approach which we really appreciated
Ruth
I contacted Myerson as I was unable to find a solicitor in Ireland to deal with UK probate for my father's estate as there was a possible complication with domicile. Clara Staunton initially, then Hannah Owens were friendly, helpful, efficient, and proactive in dealing with the case, kept us informed all through the process, followed up without prompting from us and indeed prompted us when needed. It was a pleasure to deal with Hannah and Clara, and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.
Mrs. Westwood
Compared to my original solicitors Myerson have been excellent. Hannah Owens has provided clear explanations of the various options available to us, timely responses, and has been upfront about the expected costs.
Legal 500, 2024
They go the extra mile to help their clients.
Peter Brett & Elizabeth Brett
The service that Myerson provided was excellent. All aspects and options regarding my Will were discussed and explained to our understanding. Based on our experience we would not hesitate to recommend your Company to friends and family.
Anonymous
Laura Willis and Bik-ki Wong have been a credit in resolving my issue and ensured the process was both timely and transparent. Thank you!
Susan
I cannot recommend this firm highly enough. During a very difficult time after the death of my husband, we were treated with the utmost sensitivity and compassion. Hannah at Myerson, in particular, supported my family extremely efficiently throughout the whole process of probate. Communication was frequent and nothing was too much trouble.
Legal 500, 2022
Broad spectrum of private client services offered. Larger practice, but not so large as to not offer a personal approach.’
Legal 500, 2022
Professional and personable approach. Efficient and timely in communication with clients.
Anonymous
I was very impressed with the care and attention that was given to me by Clara Staunton. She went through everything with me and everything was completed in a very short time even though she had to get things signed by one of my sons who lives in New Zealand. I would recommend your firm to anyone who needed a good reliable solicitor. Once again, thank you for everything.
Joyce Mann
Clara was very efficient in dealing with my late husband’s Will. Clara was always available to help in any way. Very caring and understanding, that is very important to clients. I must mention your reception team were always happy to help.
Phil
Handled our personal wills very professionally, really clear and “no-nonsense” approach which we really appreciated
Mr. Wallace
Excellent proactive support to myself and my business led by Clara Staunton and Charlotte Peers who were both excellent every step of the way.
Legal 500, 2024
The team at Myersons continue to provide excellent support to this Family Office. They are diligent professionals always on hand with expert advice delivered in a friendly and meaningful way.
Legal 500, 2024
Very experienced and highly skilled team. Very good to work with on those matters where collaborative working required.
Mr. Lee
Everything that you have touched in what has been a difficult time for me has been dealt with promptly and in the knowledge that I am not at my best. I value the care you have shown.
Meet Our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Lawyers
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our wills, trusts, and probate lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.
Darren Christopherson-Smith
Darren is a Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts and Probate Team
Contact Our Experts
You can contact our lawyers below if you have any more questions or want more information:
0161 941 4000
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