Public Consultation on the Legal Component of Advance Care Planning.

Compassionate Communities Northern Ireland is seeking to engage the public on questions you have on the Legal Component of Advance Care Planning in Northern Ireland via the button below.

Sharon from Compassionate Communities NI

Public Consultation

What is Advance Care Planning?

Advance Care Planning is a voluntary process for planning ahead for a time when you may

not have capacity to make decisions for yourself or communicate them. This might arise because of an unexpected health emergency or declining health.

What’s the difference between Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney?

How often should I update my will? There are 4 components:

Personal, Legal, Clinical and Financial. Anyone over the age of 18 years who has mental

capacity to make decisions about their future care needs can plan ahead. Plans can be

changed at any time according to your wishes.

Information Resources:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/articles/advance-care-planning-now-and-future

https://www.compassionatecommunitiesni.com/plan-ahead-advanced-care-planning

Legal Considerations

We understand that legal terminology can be confusing and often there is a cost involved

when consulting with legal professionals. This is why we are reaching out with a public

consultation to identify questions that you may have, and to better understand the barriers

that may stop you from putting plans in place. Our aim is to provide clarification and

signpost to resources that can help you with your individual circumstances.

Not be confused with legal advice, we are not legal professionals, but we will reach out to

the appropriate professionals for guidance. For example, in collaboration with a barrister

from The Law Society of Northern Ireland, we produced an information video on the

Importance of Making a Will, please click here to view.

Click the Image to Participate in our Public Consultation

Your Questions Matter

Some early feedback on questions regarding the legal component of planning ahead

includes:

1. I don’t own any assets or property – do I need a will?
   

2. How does losing mental capacity affect my tenancy rights with social housing providers i.e. Apex, NIHE, Radius Housing, etc.
   

3. I already have a will. Why would I need a power of attorney?
   

4. If I become mentally or physically unwell, will I have to sell my home to pay for care?
   

5. What is the cost of arranging a Power of Attorney? Is there a baseline cost?
   

6. Are there discounts for those in receipt of state benefits?
   

7. Is a medical assessment required before an Enduring Power of Attorney is invoked?
   

8. Can I contest an Enduring Power of Attorney being invoked?
   

9. Should I have more than one Enduring Power of Attorney? What happens in the

   event of a dispute?
   

10. I don’t have or trust anyone enough to act as my Enduring Power of Attorney what should I do?
    

If you have any further questions that stop you making legal arrangements for your

future care needs, you can simply respond privately and anonymously via the form on our Plan Ahead Page