Roche Legal

19/10/2026

What happens if a loved one loses mental capacity and there's no Power of Attorney in place? 💙

In this situation, the only way for family members to gain legal authority to manage their affairs is by applying to the Court of Protection to become a deputy.

Here's what that involves:

📋 A detailed application to the Court of Protection
👥 Notifying the person and certain family members
🩺 A medical capacity assessment
💷 Court fees and ongoing annual supervision fees
📊 Annual reports to the Office of the Public Guardian

The whole process can take four to six months - or longer. And during that time, day-to-day financial management can be incredibly difficult.

16/10/2026

Are you thinking about how to provide for a disabled or vulnerable family member in your Will? It's a question that deserves careful thought, because sometimes, leaving money directly isn't the most helpful thing you can do. 💙

Here's why:

✔️ If a loved one receives means-tested benefits; like Universal Credit or help with care costs, inheriting a lump sum could reduce or even stop those payments entirely. The money you leave could end up replacing their benefits rather than supplementing them.

✔️ If a loved one struggles to manage finances independently due to a learning disability, dementia, or other vulnerability, handling a large sum could be overwhelming or even harmful.

A discretionary trust set up through your Will can help with both of these concerns. The money is held by trustees who manage it on your loved one's behalf, making purchases, paying providers, or releasing funds when appropriate without the beneficiary ever taking direct ownership.

When structured correctly, this can protect access to means-tested benefits while still ensuring your loved one is supported in the way you intend. 💙

Our latest blog explains how this works in full. Read it here: https://rochelegal.co.uk/news-insights/providing-for-a-vulnerable-or-disabled-loved-one-through-a-trust/

Any questions? Drop them in the comments or get in touch. 👇

A lump sum can affect benefits or be hard to manage. Our solicitors explain how a discretionary trust in your Will can protect a vulnerable loved one.

15/10/2026

Wondering whether a trust could help protect what you're leaving behind? 💙

Our team at Roche Legal can walk you through the options in plain English - no jargon, no pressure. Just clear, friendly advice tailored to your circumstances.

Get in touch today. 🤍

👉 rochelegal.co.uk

13/10/2026

Thinking about a trust but not sure where to start? Here's what's worth knowing first. 💡💙

✔️ A trust within your Will is often simpler than people expect - it only comes into effect when you die
✔️ You choose who the trustees are and they have a legal duty to act in the beneficiaries' interests
✔️ Different types of trusts have different tax implications - getting the right advice matters
✔️ Trusts and care home fees: timing is everything - a trust set up too late may not achieve what you hope

Trusts aren't for everyone, but for the right circumstances, they can offer real peace of mind. 💙

Get in touch with our team to find out whether one might be right for you. rochelegal.co.uk

12/10/2026

Have you ever wondered whether a trust might be right for your estate? 🤔💙

Trusts are more common and more accessible than many people realise. They're simply a legal way of holding assets for the benefit of someone else, with rules around when and how those assets can be used.

They can be a really useful tool if, for example:

✔️ You want to leave money to grandchildren but not until they're older
✔️ You want to protect a vulnerable family member's inheritance
✔️ You're worried a beneficiary's marriage might break down
✔️ You want your spouse to be provided for, with assets passing to your children afterwards

This week we're exploring what trusts are and when they might make sense. Follow along! 💙

08/10/2026

If you've recently lost someone and you're not sure where to turn for legal guidance, please know that we're here. 🤍

At Roche Legal, we handle bereavement matters with the care, sensitivity, and expertise they deserve - from answering your first questions to administering the full estate.

Reach out to our team today. 💙

👉 rochelegal.co.uk

06/10/2026

When dealing with the practicalities after a bereavement, it's easy to make well-intentioned mistakes. Here are a few common ones to be aware of: 💡

❌ 'Let's transfer money from Mum's account to cover the funeral costs.'
Be careful - most accounts are legally frozen after a death. Accessing them without the proper authority can create real problems for the executor.

❌ 'We need to wait for probate before we do anything.'
Not true - registering the death, notifying organisations, and securing property can all happen right away.

❌ 'Their Facebook and email will just be there - we can deal with it later.'
Digital accounts can be lost or inaccessible without the right information. It's worth acting on these sooner rather than later.

If you're unsure what you can and can't do, our team is always happy to guide you. 💙

rochelegal.co.uk

05/10/2026

Losing someone is hard enough without feeling unsure about what needs to happen next. 💙

Here's a simple overview of the key practical steps after a bereavement:

📋 Register the death within 5 days
📄 Get multiple copies of the death certificate - you'll need more than you think
📁 Locate the original Will
📞 Notify banks, HMRC, DWP, pension providers and insurers
🏠 Make sure any property is secure and insured
⚖️ Apply for probate if required

There's no need to do all of this alone. Our team at Roche Legal can guide you through the process with care and expertise. 💙

Drop any questions in the comments, or visit rochelegal.co.uk 👇

01/10/2026

October is here and this month we're covering some of the most important topics we deal with every day at Roche Legal. 💙

We're starting this week with something that touches every family at some point: what actually needs to happen, practically and legally in the days and weeks after someone you love passes away.

It can feel like an enormous amount to take on at the hardest of times. Our goal this month is to make some of that feel a little clearer.

Follow along and feel free to share with anyone who might find it helpful. 💙

29/09/2026

Thinking about protecting your home from care fees? Here's something important to know first. 💡

💬 'We'll just put the house in the children's names.'

It's a very common idea but it can backfire. Local authorities can view this as a deliberate attempt to avoid paying for care (known as 'deliberate deprivation of assets') and may still include the property in the means test.

The best thing you can do is take proper advice before making any decisions about your property or assets. And make sure your Will and LPA are in place, so that the right people are empowered to make decisions for you if needed. 💙

As we close out September, if there's one thing to take away from this month it's this: plan ahead. The earlier you do, the more options you have.

Get in touch with our team at Roche Legal. 💙

👉 https://rochelegal.co.uk/