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Attorney, Deputy and Court of Protection Disputes

Our expert team can help with Attorney, Deputy & Court of Protection disputes

We are equipped with extensive knowledge and practical experience to navigate and resolve complex issues related to disputes effectively.

Dispute Resolution

FAQs

An Attorney is appointed by reason of an individual (the donor) granting powers via a Lasting Power of Attorney (an LPA) or an Enduring Power of Attorney (an EPA). The Attorney is appointed to look after the donor’s finances and health and welfare if the donor loses mental capacity.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s) and Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA’s) are drawn up when the individual granting the powers (the donor) still retains mental capacity. LPA’s and EPA’s cannot be drawn up once the prospective donor has been deemed to have lost mental capacity. If an individual loses capacity and has failed to grant an LPA or EPA it will be necessary to appoint a Deputy to look after the individual’s finances and and/or health and welfare. A Deputy is appointed by the Court of Protection and will usually be an individual’s next of kin, close relative, or friend.

An Attorney acting on behalf of a donor pursuant to a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will have the power to make decisions about things like:

  • The donor’s daily routine which will involve tasks such as washing, dressing and eating.
  • The donor’s medical care.
  • Whether the donor should move to a care home.
  • The maintenance of life-sustaining treatment.

An Attorney acting on behalf of a donor pursuant to a Property and Finances Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will have the power to make decisions about things like:

  • The donor’s money including bank and/or building society accounts.
  • Paying any bills owed by the donor for services incurred.
  • Collecting any benefits that the donor is entitled to and collecting the donor’s pension.

The Attorney must always act in donor’s best interests and they are permitted to spend the donor’s money on things that maintain or improve the donor’s quality of live. This could involve things such as a new clothes or hairdressing or paying for extra support for the donor so that they can go out more.

The Attorney must ensure that they always act in their donor’s best interests. They must also ensure that they keep the donor’s finances separate from their own unless the Attorney already shares a joint asset with the donor, such as a joint bank account or home. Restrictions will also apply where the Attorney is seeking to sell the donor’s property especially where any proposed sale is below market value, where it is proposed that the property will be given to a third party, or where the Attorney is seeking to buy the property.

Attorneys are required to keep a record of the donor’s assets, income and expenditure. Where the donor’s funds are spent the Attorney will need to keep a copy of all receipts. Attorneys can only claim expenses for costs that have arisen as part of their role which may include things such as reasonable travel costs.

The Office of the Public Guardian and Court of Protection have the power to investigate the conduct of Attorneys and such investigations could extend to contact being made with third parties such as the donor’s family or care workers. Such investigations will be seeking to establish whether the Attorney has been acting in the donor’s best interests or whether the Attorney has been misusing the donor’s money for their own financial gain.

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See what our customers say…

Excellent

Based on 494 reviews
17 Apr 2025

Samantha at Eric Robinson was attentive…

Samantha at Eric Robinson was attentive and made the whole house buying process feel not stressful! I cannot thank them enough!


Joelle Salje
15 Apr 2025

Would happily recommend!

Chantelle supported us fantastically well during the recent purchase of my wife & I buying our 1st home! Her advice was clear & she was persistent in her efforts to move at pace in line with our ambitious completion date by the end of March. Thank you so much for your help & support that made a potentially stressful situation turn out positively. We would happily recommend Chantelle & Eric Robinson Solicitors to anyone in future!


Simon
09 Apr 2025

I recently completed the purchase of a…

I recently completed the purchase of a property with the help of Eric Robinson Solicitors, and I couldn’t be happier with the service provided. Sarah Hogarty kept me well informed at every stage and was extremely professional, helpful, and responsive. The entire process was handled smoothly, with clear communication and attention to detail. I also appreciated the prompt follow-up after completion, including updates about registering the property and the legal charge. Overall, I felt supported and confident throughout. Highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and efficient conveyancing support.


Mahender Singh
04 Apr 2025

Amazing service from Chantelle

Highly recommend Chantelle at Eric Robinson Solicitors. She was brilliant throughout our whole process. Her communication was amazing, she reassured us that no question was too silly and was very efficient with replying to emails and answering the phone. Our process would not have gone through as quickly if it wasn’t for her. We are extremely grateful for her hard work and commitment to our case.


Jess and Jonny
02 Apr 2025

Leasehold Flat sale

Excellent service from start to end of process in the sale of a Leashold Flat, any questions answered promptly and was kept upto date with progress being made.


John Lavington
02 Apr 2025

Above and beyond hard working

Eric Robertson has been my family solicitors since I was a little boy (I am in my 50s). We have always used them as their dedication to help knows no bounds. Recently I dealt with Jodi, Sarah and Charlie in regards to a complicated house sale and they were amazing. I cannot recommend Eric Robertsons enough. 10 stars! (out of five)


Jamie Brown
17 Apr 2025

Samantha at Eric Robinson was attentive…

Samantha at Eric Robinson was attentive and made the whole house buying process feel not stressful! I cannot thank them enough!


Joelle Salje
15 Apr 2025

Would happily recommend!

Chantelle supported us fantastically well during the recent purchase of my wife & I buying our 1st home! Her advice was clear & she was persistent in her efforts to move at pace in line with our ambitious completion date by the end of March. Thank you so much for your help & support that made a potentially stressful situation turn out positively. We would happily recommend Chantelle & Eric Robinson Solicitors to anyone in future!


Simon
09 Apr 2025

I recently completed the purchase of a…

I recently completed the purchase of a property with the help of Eric Robinson Solicitors, and I couldn’t be happier with the service provided. Sarah Hogarty kept me well informed at every stage and was extremely professional, helpful, and responsive. The entire process was handled smoothly, with clear communication and attention to detail. I also appreciated the prompt follow-up after completion, including updates about registering the property and the legal charge. Overall, I felt supported and confident throughout. Highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable and efficient conveyancing support.


Mahender Singh
04 Apr 2025

Amazing service from Chantelle

Highly recommend Chantelle at Eric Robinson Solicitors. She was brilliant throughout our whole process. Her communication was amazing, she reassured us that no question was too silly and was very efficient with replying to emails and answering the phone. Our process would not have gone through as quickly if it wasn’t for her. We are extremely grateful for her hard work and commitment to our case.


Jess and Jonny
02 Apr 2025

Leasehold Flat sale

Excellent service from start to end of process in the sale of a Leashold Flat, any questions answered promptly and was kept upto date with progress being made.


John Lavington
02 Apr 2025

Above and beyond hard working

Eric Robertson has been my family solicitors since I was a little boy (I am in my 50s). We have always used them as their dedication to help knows no bounds. Recently I dealt with Jodi, Sarah and Charlie in regards to a complicated house sale and they were amazing. I cannot recommend Eric Robertsons enough. 10 stars! (out of five)


Jamie Brown
View all reviews

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