Blog
Can I make a new Will if I have Dementia?
In short, the answer to this question is absolutely yes, a diagnosis of any type of cognitive impairment or specifically Dementia does not prevent an individual from drawing up a new Will, or from making changes to an existing Will in most circumstances. At Thornton & Lee we meet individuals with Dementia regularly, who are…
Read MoreWhy Complete a Testamentary Capacity Assessment?
Did you know that your Will could be contested after your death? That the Court may even decide that it’s invalid, or even that an individual not named as a beneficiary may be able to lay argument to the Court that they have been unfairly left out?. This week the Telegraph newspaper has reported to…
Read MorePA14 Forms: Your questions answered
Finalising the Estate for someone you have lost can be an overwhelming task, especially when you have to juggle potential hold ups with the Executor of the Will. There are ways to help with this situation such as completing a PA14 form. If you have concerns about the person who is named the Executor or…
Read MoreDr Gregory Lecturer of Social Work at the UEA discusses Why Values Matter in Social Work
Social work is an inherently value-based profession, but in practice we often spend relatively little time reflecting on what is important to us as social workers and as human beings. Student social workers are regularly encouraged to think about their own values and where they come from by their lecturers and practice educators, however once…
Read MoreDr Corner of the UEA tells us how understanding Personhood and Citizenship can benefit those with Dementia
This week I received one of my favourite types of emails, Mrs M who is a daughter who we supported with a mental capacity assessment for her mother Mrs R, to assist with a Deputyship application a year ago, sent me a courtesy update on the Court application, but also on how her mother is…
Read MoreThe role of Independent Social Workers in exploring Undue Influence in drafted Wills
With another high profile contested Will Court case hitting the Newspapers 14th February 2023 titled “War over ‘genius’ bankers £18m fortune: Brother of ex-Goldman Sachs financier brands his Polish lover a ‘call girl’ who ‘conned him out of £4m chunk of estate – including his London flat – before he died aged 55“. It once…
Read MoreHappy 2nd Birthday Thornton & Lee
Happy 2nd birthday to Thornton & Lee Social Work Consultancy who in December 2022 celebrated a wonderful second birthday since the launch of our new and innovative Independent Social Work network across England and Wales. During this two-year period our value driven organisation has gone from strength to strength, with our founding members, Managing Directors…
Read MoreIntroducing Hayley Lodge Independent Social Worker
Hayley has been working with Thornton & Lee as an Independent Social Worker since the summer 2022, her kind and personable approach is a real asset to Thornton & Lee and much appreciated by our clients. Hayley lives with her family and sausage dog Toby, in the Gloucestershire area. Hayley qualified as a Social Worker…
Read MoreHow to support an individual experiencing Domestic Abuse
The UK government describes Domestic Abuse as abusive behaviour perpetrated on another individual aged 16 or over, with whom they are personally connected. Abuse might include a one off or could be regular incidents involving any of the following; physical, sexual, violence/threat of violence, control, or coercion, financial, or psychological/emotional abuse. The new Domestic Abuse…
Read MoreWill taking part in a Mental Capacity assessment upset my loved one?
“I really hope the mental capacity assessment does not upset them” is a worry that we hear often as Mental Capacity Assessors at Thornton & Lee. Whilst we cannot guarantee that an assessment of mental capacity will be an enjoyable experience for the individual 100 percent of the time, what we can promise is this;…
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