Private client solicitor Holly Mieville-Hawkins from Bath law firm Withy King, has been accredited with the Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) Older Client Care in Practice Award for her expertise and services to older people.
Holly Mieville-Hawkins, who is a member of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee and a specialist in the field of Court of Protection, including Lasting Powers of Attorney, achieved the award for her specialist work in this area as well as her skills in advising and supporting older and vulnerable clients.
She represents people who lack mental capacity as well as their families in court proceedings relating to their health and social wellbeing, property and financial affairs.
“I am very pleased to have received this award and to have the opportunity to highlight some of the issues, including raising awareness of how to help protect the interests of older and vulnerable people who have lost the ability to make their own decisions,” said Holly.
“SFE recently published a report which reveals that 86 per cent of people in the South West do not have a Lasting Power of Attorney and are leaving major decisions about housing, assets and care to chance.
“The report also reveals that while 49 per cent of people in the South West have a Will in place to direct their affairs after death, only 8 per cent have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place to safeguard their wishes in the event they are no longer able to make decisions for themselves, due to an accident or illness.
“Most of the people surveyed said they wanted a family member or friend to make important decisions on their behalf, if they were no longer able.
“However, few are aware that without an LPA in place, this won’t be possible and crucial issues, such as their end-of-life wishes and health treatments, may be left in the hands of third party solicitors, social workers, medical doctors or the British courts.
“The needs of older and vulnerable people in our society are often overlooked and I feel passionately about helping them to protect themselves and their interests, for their own sakes as well as their families.
“But LPAs are not just for older people. Anyone who owns their own home, has children or loved ones or just a view on how they would like their affairs to be handled if they can no longer make decisions, should consider having one.”
Holly’s expertise has been recognised by Chambers & Partners UK, the independent guide to the legal profession, where she is named as a ‘Leader in their Field’ in the 2015 edition.
She has also had articles published on the issues and is a regular speaker at public events.
SFE is an independent, national organisation of professionals, such as solicitors, barristers, and chartered legal executives, committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers.
To download the report ‘Who will decide for you when you can’t?’ go to: http://www.sfe.legal.