Clients Who Lack Capacity and Family Law

Dealing with family issues can be difficult at the best of times, but questions around capacity can add a layer of complexity. This is equally true when dealing with vulnerable clients. Our team have the expertise and experience to provide the extra support needed to navigate difficult periods.

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Meet the team

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Working with the people you care about

We will do everything necessary to make things easier for you or someone vulnerable that you care for.

Working closely with our Older and Vulnerable Clients team, we have the experience needed to be able to support you or someone vulnerable that you care about. If our client has been deemed to lack the requisite capacity, we can help identify someone who has authority to provide instructions on their behalf.

If court proceedings are necessary, we will help identify a litigation friend to be appointed to give instructions and conduct proceedings. This will often be the individual’s attorney or court appointed deputy, although there are rules and limitations on what can be done without the relevant authority.

Providing the right support to vulnerable clients

There are times when those instructing us lose, or have lost, the requisite mental capacity to make significant decisions that have legal consequences. However, capacity is decision-specific, so they may be able to make decisions about some things but not others.

As legal advisors it is our professional duty to make sure our clients can give proper instructions on the issues at hand. The starting point is the presumption that an adult client has capacity. If we are in any doubt and unable to make a satisfactory capacity decision, we will obtain an expert’s opinion by way of a capacity report.

Two Family Lawyers in our Wye Valley office

Our expertise

We’ll work with you and the people you care about on the issues affecting them to ensure a resolution.

This includes pre and postnuptial agreements , cohabitation agreements between unmarried couples living together, as well as those facing divorce.

We also have expertise in negotiating arrangements for children.

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Recognition of our work

Investors in People

Investors in People

Legal 500 2026 – Top Tier Firm

Legal 500 2026 – Top Tier Firm

The Times Best Law Firms 2026

The Times Best Law Firms 2026

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Hear what our clients say about us

Victoria is a real force of nature and is regarded as a powerhouse in the financial remedy world.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

Sally is excellent: she manages clients’ expectations and gives very good advice. She is also pragmatic with a keen eye on managing costs for the clients.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

I would highly recommend Richard Scott. He is professional, approachable and always seeks to achieve the best outcome for his clients.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

James was a really good communicator and we gelled well from the start. I found him really sympathetic to my situation.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

James is without exception a fine lawyer. He is determined, mindful of keeping costs to a minimum and brilliant at allaying any fears or concerns that arise.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

Carolyn is probably the most experienced family finance solicitor in the South West.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

Andrew is an excellent partner – hard-working and smart, and I felt like he genuinely cared about getting a result for me. He guided me well in very difficult times.

Client testimonial Chambers 2026

Special thanks to Shereen Chohan at family law. Such an amazing person who did tremendously well in my case. Highly recommended.

Client testimonial Family law

The feeling knowing I have stability back and can now rebuild mine and my daughter’s future is more than I can describe.

Client testimonial Family law

Richard Scott provides clear, thorough advice and is knowledgeable as to all aspects of family law work.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

I largely dealt with Danielle Bentley, who was the solicitor with conduct of my matter. The difference between her approach and others seems to be a focus on not only the legal requirements of my matter, but also a clear focus on practical consequences of decisions that were made during the case.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

The family department are one of the leading teams in the Thames Valley area. Both Kate Grant and Danielle Bentley are technically brilliant whilst all the time delivering sensible and pragmatic advice for their clients.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

How can we help you?