Appointment Of A Deputy

We acted for a client who had become concerned that her sister was mishandling their mother’s financial affairs. After trying to reach an agreement with the sister about how to address these concerns, we advised our client to make an application to the Court to become her mother’s deputy.

The application was successful, and the Deputyship Order entitled our client to full access to her mother’s financial affairs and to make financial decisions on behalf of her mother. This stopped the sister having any control and access over their mother’s affairs and after receiving full records we were able to investigate whether the sister had been abusing their mother’s finances. This investigation revealed there had been some financial mishandling and misappropriation of monies and we were to reach an agreement with the sister about how their mother’s finances would be reinstated.

This case highlighted the fact that transparency between family members is very important. Whilst having ad hoc arrangements in place may suit some families, having a formal arrangement in place with the associated legal checks and balances which accompany either an Attorney or a Deputy protects both the elderly person and the family member who is helping them manage their finances.