Elder Law
Our ElderLaw team is a specialist division set up by Gillespie Young Watson designed to cater specifically to the needs of those who are nearing or who have reached retirement. The ElderLaw team comprises Jeremy Hucker, Lesley Grant and Joanne Davies.
If you are nearing or have reached retirement you should have a full review of your affairs conducted. We have designed a review process where we go through with you a 24 point checklist that ensures your legal affairs are optimised in terms of your estate planning and entitlement to residential care support.
Rest Home Care and Subsidies
Our team has specialist knowledge and experience in dealing with WINZ and can assist with an application for a rest home care subsidy. We also have expertise in dealing with the various documents associated with rest home care such as occupation arrangements.
See our feature article below for further information.
Enduring Powers of Attorney
We can assist in putting in place Enduring Powers of Attorney in relation to personal care and welfare and also in relation to property. We strongly recommend to our elderly clients that they put in place Enduring Powers of Attorney. They are also a necessity when entering most rest homes.
See our feature article below for further information.
Wills
If you wish your Estate to be dealt with in accordance with your expectations, then a Will is essential. Accordingly, we recommend Wills to all our clients but particularly so to our elderly clients. We can recommend effective assets planning techniques (which can be incorporated into a Will) and can also assist with putting you in touch with other professionals to arrange, for example, a pre-paid funeral.
See our feature article below for what occurs if you die without leaving a Will.
PPPR Applications
Sometimes, Enduring Powers of Attorney are not put in place and people lose the capacity to manage their own affairs. When this occurs, an application needs to be made to the Family Court pursuant to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 to appoint someone who can act for the subject person. Such applications are usually urgent and we appreciate that the circumstances surrounding the need for an application are often a cause of stress. We can assist with the application and limit the stress.
Trusts
Trusts are a very effective asset protection and estate planning tool. We will review your circumstances and advise you. For more information on trusts visit our trusts page
Alternative Accommodation
Often as people grow older their accommodation arrangements become less suitable. There are many options including downsizing, moving to granny flats with their children and retirement homes. Granny flats and retirement homes require considerable expertise to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved and further contingencies are addressed.
Feature Articles
IMPORTANT NOTE: All of our Feature Articles are subject to the disclaimer set out on our legal page.
Links of Interest
Elder Family Matters
Elder Family Matters is a company which provides personalised in-home care and assistance to the elderly.
Retirement Commission - Income Policy
Link takes you to the Retirement Commission Website which relates to the retirement income policy, it includes the 2010 review, this policy is reviewed every three years.
Retirement Village Legislation
This link takes you to the Department of Building and Housing - responsible for administering the retirement villages legislation and providing information to operators of villages, residents and intending residents.
Ministry of Social Development - Senior Citizens
Links to the Ministry of Social Development website which has information relating to Senior Citizens. There are further links that will take you through to other relevant areas such as "understanding your rights", "positive aging" and "care and support".
Ministry of Social Development - Entitlements
This link is another to the Ministry of Social Development but provides information regarding discounts available with a Super Gold Card, and assistance available for living costs etc.
To contact any of our ElderLaw team please phone 0508 ELDERLAW or email by clicking on a link for:
Lesley Grant, Jeremy Hucker or Joanne Davies.