LegaCare
FAQ
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
For Referrers
Our referral process is designed to be quick, straightforward and responsive, ensuring patients receive the legal and practical support they need at the time they need it most.
What information do I need to make a referral?
Making a referral is simple. Complete our referral form (see attached) with the patient's contact details, a brief outline of their circumstances, and any information that will help us understand their legal or practical support needs. If you're unsure whether someone is suitable for our service, please get in touch. We're always happy to discuss a case before a referral is made.
How quickly will my patient be seen?
We understand that some situations are extremely urgent. We prioritise referrals according to need. Depending on the urgency, we may be able to see a patient within as little as 20 minutes of receiving a referral. Less urgent referrals are normally contacted within two days, with appointments made within five to ten working days, depending upon the patient's situation. Our aim is always to provide support at the earliest opportunity, particularly where a person's health is deteriorating or important decisions need to be made.
What happens after I make a referral?
Once we receive your referral, we will contact the patient or, where appropriate, a family member to arrange a meeting at a time and place that is convenient for them. This may be at home, in hospital, a hospice, care home or another suitable location. During our first meeting, we will discuss the patient's circumstances, identify the legal and practical issues affecting them, and agree a personalised plan of support. We don't simply provide advice - we work alongside the patient and their family, taking action on their behalf wherever possible. We remain involved until everything we have agreed to help with has been completed or there is no further support required.
Who can refer to LegaCare?
We accept referrals from GPs, hospital teams, community nurses, hospice staff, social workers, occupational therapists, allied health professionals and other health and social care professionals supporting people living with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness.
What types of issues can LegaCare help with?
We support patients with a wide range of legal and practical matters, including: Our referral process is designed to be quick, straightforward and responsive, ensuring patients receive the legal and practical support they need at the time they need it most. • Wills • Lasting Powers of Attorney • Family and child welfare matters • Estate and inheritance planning • Housing and mortgage issues • Debt and financial worries • Employment matters • Insurance and pension queries • Advance care planning • Funeral planning • Post-death advice Our aim is to reduce stress and uncertainty, allowing patients and their families to focus on what matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions For Clients
Our referral process is designed to be quick, straightforward and responsive, ensuring patients receive the legal and practical support they need at the time they need it most.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. If you are unable to travel, we will usually come to you. We regularly meet clients in their own home, hospital, hospice, care home or another suitable location. If you are able and would prefer to visit our office, we would be pleased to welcome you there.
How long will I wait after making a referral?
This depends on how urgent your situation is. When your healthcare professional refers you to LegaCare, they will tell us how quickly they believe you need to be seen. We prioritise urgent referrals and will always aim to provide support as soon as possible
What should I have ready for my first consultation?
This will depend on the type of help you need. We will always ask you to provide proof of your identity, and when we first contact you, your solicitor will let you know if there are any other documents that would be helpful to have available, such as details of your finances, property, insurance policies or existing legal documents.
What if I don't qualify for free legal services?
Your first meeting with us is always free of charge. If you do not meet our eligibility criteria for free legal support and you would like us to carry out work on your behalf, we will discuss this with you and suggest what we believe is a reasonable donation. Any donation you make goes directly back into LegaCare, helping us to continue providing free legal advice and support to people facing a life-threatening illness who could not otherwise afford it.
Can a family member contact you on my behalf?
Yes. A family member, friend or healthcare professional is welcome to contact us to arrange appointments on your behalf. However, when we meet with you, we must receive instructions directly from you. This means you will need to have the mental capacity to make your own decisions, as we are unable to accept legal instructions from a third party unless they already have the appropriate legal authority, such as a registered Lasting Power of Attorney or a Court of Protection appointment.
Will everything I tell you be kept confidential?
Yes. Everything you discuss with your solicitor is confidential. We will only share information with your family, healthcare professionals or anyone else if you give us permission or we are legally required to do so.