Legal Terms Glossary

Someone who is appointed in a Power of Attorney to act on the donor's behalf.

Someone making an application to the Court of Protection to be appointed as a Deputy and/or for permission to make a specific decision on behalf of someone else.

A written statement of fact that is witnessed and signed by a solicitor.

A document similar to an advance decision that isn't legally binding. It can be used to set out wishes regarding future care and/or medical treatment.

A legal document used to specify situations where someone would wish to refuse certain types of medical treatment or care in the future.

A personal representative of someone who has died without leaving a Will. The administrator is responsible for administering the estate.

The process of gathering information relating to the assets and debts of someone who has died, paying all outstanding debts and distributing the remaining assets as per the Will (if there is one) or intestacy rules (if there isn't).

A type of lawyer who works with your solicitor, provides formal advice and speaks on your behalf in court.

An individual or organisation who stands to inherit something in a Will or by virtue of the intestacy rules. A beneficiary can also be someone entitled to receive property, money or other assets from a trust.

This is often referred to as 'mental capacity' and is the ability to make informed decisions independently. To be considered to have capacity, a person must be judged able to understand and fully weigh up information relevant to their decision. In England and Wales, capacity is governed by the Mental Capacity Act 2005.