Making A Will

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It is important to make a Will to say what happens to your money and property when you die. Getting good legal advice is essential. If there is no Will and therefore no beneficiaries are chosen, the Court Of Protection may become involved.

It is particularly important that the parent(s), guardians or carers of someone with learning disabilities make a Will. This is not always easy but there are a number of options. It is possible to set up your own Trustees to look after things, set up a Trust Fund, or involve one of the National Trustee Schemes.

People with a learning disability should make a will, providing they understand what a Will is, and know who they want to leave their money and property to.

Under the new legal aid scheme, parents of disabled people can get financial help in drawing up a Will if they consult a solicitor holding a legal aid contract for legal help in family work. Community Legal Services have a directory that lists all of these solicitors.

Contact Community Legal Services helpline:

 0845 608 1122 or
 http://www.justask.org.uk

Mencap also has a list of solicitors who specialise in Wills and Trusts for the benefit of a dependant with a learning disability (Mencap are unable to recommend any solicitor in particular) . This list is available from the Legacy Department at Mencap National Centre

  020 7696 6996.

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Next: Court Of Protection