Nick Latimir of Coodes Solicitors has joined a number of organisations representing older and vulnerable people to emphasise the importance of getting specialist legal advice when setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).

A specialist in wills, trusts and probate, Nick is one Coodes Solicitors’ five lawyers accredited by Solicitors for the Elderly and works in the firm’s Falmouth and Truro offices. SFE has published its report, The Hidden Cost of DIY LPAs, in response to the growing trend of people setting up a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) themselves using online services.

An LPA is a powerful legal document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about care and finances on their behalf, in the event of a loss of mental capacity through an accident or illness such as dementia.

Nick said: “This campaign from Solicitors for the Elderly comes just days after figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are now the leading cause of death in England and Wales. The fact that so many of us will, sadly, be affected by these conditions in the future underlines the importance of preparing for the possibility of ‘losing capacity.’

“I fully support SFE’s campaign to encourage people to seek expert advice when putting in place such an important legal document. LPAs can cover all key aspects of your life, from your finances to your medical care and where you wish to live. An experienced lawyer will not only ensure the document is correctly completed and registered but will also discuss all aspects of the LPA with you, so you can properly consider your options and make the decisions that are right for you.”

Solicitors for the Elderly describe their members as “specialists in older client law, but what sets SFE members apart from other lawyers are their specialist client care skills that enable them to advise and support older and vulnerable clients.”