Services
The firm offers specialist advice and expertise in a number of areas affecting the individual, with particular emphasis on those primarily associated with the older and/or vulnerable client.
We deal with issues surrounding the retirement years, including advising on:
- Responsibility for and funding of long-term care - state, private and NHS funded care
- Protecting the family home and other assets against depletion in the event of long-term care needs arising
- Choosing appropriate accommodation and services for your later years
- The provision of home care
- Residential and nursing home contracts
- NHS Continuing Care assessment processes and appeals
- Tax planning using Wills, Trusts and lifetime giving
- Trusts administration and review
- State retirement and widows’ pensions
- Benefits and assistance – both means-tested and non-means-tested
- Making and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney in respect of both Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare
- The appropriate use of General Powers of Attorney
- Living Wills/Advance Directives
- Pre-paid funeral plans
- Probate and the administration of estates including advice on legitimate ways to reduce Inheritance Tax liability both at the time of the administration of the estate and on the later deaths of its beneficiaries
- Associated property matters
For clients and their families for whom mental capacity is already an issue we also advise on:
- Court of Protection matters
- Dementia care options
- Choice of and applications for the appointment of a Deputy for the incapacitated client who either has no Will or whose Will no longer meets the needs of their situation
- Applications for Statutory Wills
- Management of the client’s finances
- Mental Health legislation
- Protection against and dealing with the aftermath of financial and/or physical abuse of a patient
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
For younger clients or their families where a lack of capacity arises through illness or injury we additionally advise on:
- Structured trusts
- Administration and protection of finances
- Issues surrounding vulnerability in social and sexual situations
- Issues surrounding consent to medical and other processes
Services
Here at Helen Starkie, the firm provides expert professional solicitor services for residents of Bath and the surrounding areas. Our expertise means we can offer legal services covering lasting power of attorney, general power of attorney, wills & probate, property trusts, prepaid funerals and more. Get in touch with Helen Starkie and the team by calling our office on 01225 442353 or by using our Contact page.
Complaints Procedure
At Helen Starkie Solicitor we aim to provide a high-quality service to all our clients. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your matter or how it is being dealt with, please make us aware so we can try to resolve the matter for you.
Initially please contact the member of staff directly that was dealing with you, if you don’t feel comfortable doing this, please address complaints directly to Helen Starkie. We will aim to reply to you within 3 working days of receiving the complaint.
If you are still not happy with our handling of the complaint you can refer your matter to the Legal ombudsman on 0300 555 0333 or email enquiries@legalombudsman.org.uk or post Legal Ombudsman, PO Box 6806, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WJ
