Who can apply to be a deputy and what are their responsibilities?

Who can apply to be a deputy?

You must be 18 or over to apply for a deputyship.
Usually deputies are close relatives or friends of the person who needs help making decisions.
You must have the skills to make financial decisions for someone else if you are applying to be a property & financial affairs deputy.

Can the court appoint more than one deputy?

Yes, the court can appoint more than one deputy. If more than one person is applying to be a deputy then you would need to tell the Court how you will make decisions. The options of how two or more deputies make decisions are either:

Jointly- all deputies have to agree on the decisions being made
Jointly and severally- deputies can made decisions together or on their own without the other deputy(s).

What is a deputy’s responsibility?

A deputy is responsible for helping someone make their own decisions or making a decision on their behalf. If a deputy is making a decision on the person’s behalf they must:

Make sure the decision is in the other person’s best interest
Do everything possible to hep the other person understand the situation and the decision.
Consider decisions made in the past
Get advice from professionals (for example doctors) and the other person’s relatives
Keep your own property and money separate from the other person’s property and money
Keep a record of decisions and finances in an annual report

What should a deputy not do:

A deputy should not:

Take advantage of the other person
Profit from a decision they have taken on the other person’s behalf
Stop life-sustaining treatment
Make or amend a will for the other person
Make gifts for the other person unless allowed to by a Court order
Hold property or money in your name on the other person’s behalf

Amy Wright

Wills and probate executive

0113 218 5497

@email

A excellent service and were very helpful at all times. Highly recommended and will use them again.

Anonymous
Very friendly and very helpful and very professional.

Mr Wright
Great service, no dramas.

Mr & M
I have dealt with Winston Solicitors on several occasions during the past six years. On each I came away very satisfied and I can highly recommend the firm for its prompt responses and professionalism.

Mr De P
We used the will writing service and found Howard patient and understanding when preparing and modfying our wills, which were not straight forward and we feel the wills covered all the issues.

John a
I can heartily recommend Winston Solicitors as they handled my affairs speedily and efficiently.

Jacky
Made the uncomfortable process of making a will easy. Good advice offered.

Ms B
An excellent and professional service
Would definitely use them again

Mr and Mrs Collins
Thank you Samantha for your support and help in progressing with the sale of my late parents home. These were difficult and strange times for everyone but conveyancing services were delivered effectively and sensitively to meet my needs.

Anonymous
Howard Cohen has been very helpful in getting my post nup done 5 years ago and now with my will too. I am very f grateful to him and all those involved in my cases.
Thank you so very much.
Naina Patel.

Mrs Patel
I am very happy with the kind and efficient way Mr. Cohen with my requirements.

Mr Page
We used Winston Solicitors for our wills as COVID 19 put things into perspective. The entire process was so easy and stress free. Amy Wright was amazing and she was very knowledgeable. She was always available when we needed to discuss a few important points and gave great advice. We would highly recommend Winston’s Wills team again. Thank you

Mr Foster
Professional, easy to deal with. Uncomplicated, friendly process of creating a will. Would highly recommend Amy Wright and Winston Solicitors.

Anonymous
I was really impressed with how Amy made getting a will so simple and easy for me. Amy explained thoroughly the process and was very considerate with how she asked the difficult scenarios to consider. I would definitely recommend Winston solicitors.

Ms O
I would not hesitate to recommend Winston Solicitors. I needed to sort out Wills and Power of Attorney for my aged relatives. The task seemed daunting but I need not have worried as the efficient team helped guide me through the process. Someone was at the end of the phone or email every step of the way.

Helen
This was my first time dealing with solicitors regarding a Will, Amy Wright was excellent in explaining all the situations outlining my new Will. Highly recommended.

Thanks.

Mr D G