Looking after someone's affairs

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 protects the rights of all people to be able to make important decisions for themselves as much as possible, even if they have mental health problems.

However for some people there comes a time when they can no longer make decisions about their money, care or other personal matters. This could occur because, under the Mental Capacity Act, they are considered to have lost the capacity to do so for themselves. This might happen if they have a learning disability, a mental health problem, or an illness such as dementia. 

In such a situation it will become necessary for someone else to manage their affairs for them. It can help to give peace of mind if these responsibilites can be taken over by someone whom they know and trust. 

The idea that one day you might not be able to manage your own affairs may seem difficult to imagine. And the thought of taking care of someone else's affairs may feel like a daunting responsibility.  There are plenty of people who can help you and give you guidance along the way.

You''ll find information and advice in this section on how to plan ahead for a time when you may not be able to manage your own affairs, and on what to do if you need to be responsible for another person's affairs - including making decisions about their care and their finances. 

Select one of the items from the menu on the right to get you started.