Many older people we have been speaking to through our Rural Wisdom and Local People Linking projects have told us that the cost of legal matters like wills and Power of Attorney can be a worry, with the majority not having heard about the Legal Advice and Assistance scheme which many older people qualify for.

As part of an overhaul of the Scottish Legal Aid System, the Solicitors for older people in Scotland in partnership with Age Scotland have produced a document aimed at providing legal advice to older and vulnerable people about the Legal Advice and Assistance scheme.

Here is a short summary of the document:

“Legal Advice and Assistance” is an under used scheme which allows older people to access free or low-cost legal advice on matters like wills, Power of Attorney and other legal matters that are important to them and their families.

The key facts about the qualifying criteria are:

• An applicants residence is not taken into account
• Savings under £24,999 are also not taken into account
• State pension & virtually all other state benefits are also not taken into account.

This means that many older people who own their home, have saving and income from a private pension can still qualify for legal aid under this scheme.

The assessment process is very quick and an answer will be given by the solicitor immediately as to what level of assistance will be given. This can also be done over the telephone.

For more information you can contact Solicitors for Older People Scotland (SOPS) on 0800 152 2037 or visit www.solicitorsforolderpeoplescotland.co.uk

They have member firms who are committed to providing home visits, hospital visits and care home visits FREE of charge who will assess ALL older people over the age of 60 for Legal Aid Advice and Assistance.

Click here for full details of the Legal Aid Advice Assistance Info Wills PoA etc.docx

More information about Rural Wisdom can be found here and Local People Linking here.