Cost of guardianship "prohibitive"

Wednesday 04 August 2021

Complicated and expensive processes can be distressing to some family members looking to take legal guardianship over a loved one, according to the Guernsey Alzheimer's Association.

At some point in our lives our loved ones may, through illness or age, become unable to make their own decisions, and it's during these difficult times that complicated legal decisions need to be made.

The first port of call would be a 'Power of Attorney' which allows you to act for somebody who is aware of the decisions being made, but has difficulty in coming to court.

If somebody has completely lost their mental faculties, and is unable to understand an important legal decision and its ramifications, then you have a guardianship, which is the process of becoming a legal guardian for someone.

"It could be a wife looking after a husband, or a child looking after a parent - guardianship is when that person loses mental capacity, so they need someone else's help to look after their financial affairs and make life decisions," said Jenny Hooper from the GAA.

Manager Julie Thompson said it's here where people find difficulty.

"An issue we come across is guardianship, the cost of it, and people now knowing where to go for it and how to manage it, or who they approach - we get a lot of these questions," she said.

Pictured: "It's not an easy process for people who are already stressed," said Ms Thompson.

"It's complicated, but it's mainly the cost that is prohibitive," said Ms Thompson, citing costs of up to £3,000.

"One chap came in and told us it would cost him £3k and there isn't an alternative, without family these processes can fall to the courts," she said.

The issue arose within a general discussion about carers and the increased pressure an ageing population has on the family that care for them.

"It's a complicated process and there are quite a few people who don't have the money, but know their loved one needs this to happen," said Ms Thompson.