Nicola Rostron - Partner

Areas of Specialism

General Private Client work, Powers of Attorney (including Enduring, General, and Lasting), Elderly or Vulnerable Client work, Approved Panel Deputy of the Court of Protection, Wills and Estate Administration, Wills and Succession for Civil Partners, Estate Planning and Declarations of Trust.

Career

Nicola Rostron is a Partner in the Private Client, Trusts and Estates team and heads up the Elderly and Vulnerable Client section of that team.  Nicola joined Furley Page in January 2005 having previously worked for two large regional Law firms. She has many years experience in dealing with all aspects of private client work.

Approved Panel Deputy of the Court of Protection

Nicola’s main area of expertise is in the affairs of the Elderly and Vulnerable Client and has recently been appointed an Approved Panel Deputy of the Court of Protection.  Her appointment followed a detailed application process for which over 600 applications were received and only 64 panel deputies were appointed. The appointment means that Nicola can act as a Deputy in cases where no one close to the person lacking capacity who is suitable or willing to act, where the issues are complex and a specialist should be appointed, where there is family conflict or where there has been financial abuse.

Nicola is the only Panel Deputy appointed in East Kent and reflects the high level of expertise that she and her team have in this area.

Care Funding

An area of great interest to Nicola is that of Care Funding and all its complexities. Clients face detailed needs assessments to determine whether they need care and then face a determination of their needs. There are circumstances where care is provided by the NHS regardless of the client’s means and Nicola often attends Continuing Care Meetings on behalf of her clients to support their claim for such funding.

Nicola advises elderly client’s on all matters including Powers of Attorney. She is a specialist on advising on both types of the new Lasting Powers of Attorney. She also acts as a Certificate Provider in relation to Lasting Powers of Attorney. She also assists elderly clients who are in care or who receive care in their home. She is able to advise on care fees and Social Services rules and help clients deal with Social Services.

Nicola is a member of our Care Sector Team providing advice to care providers and those receiving care both in nursing or residential homes and in their own homes.

Wills

Nicola advises clients on all areas of Will drafting including Simple Wills, Wills for clients in second marriages, Wills for clients with disabled or vulnerable beneficiaries, Wills for clients who are concerned about the prospect of care fees and Wills for civil partners.

Nicola also deals with administration of estates in a professional but sympathetic way. She recognises how distressing it is for a family to talk to a Solicitor at a time of such grief and guides the family through the estate administration process.

Nicola also gives regular seminars to both pre and post retirement organisations as well as local charities and groups for carers. If you would like further information please contact her.

Whilst being very professional Nicola has a very friendly manner and is always understanding of her client’s needs. She enjoys working with her clients and having the opportunity to build a long lasting relationship with them.

Nicola, who has a hearing impairment herself, passed her British Sign Language level 1 exam and is now looking forward to level 2.

Elderly Client Services :  Furley Page Chatham Office

Nicola works primarily from our Canterbury office but one day per week she works from our Chatham office giving her clients a choice of venue. Nicola is available for meetings at this office on other days if need be. Her main priority is to make it as easy as possible for clients to see her and appreciates that not all clients find it easy to travel to Canterbury. Whilst Nicola does not work a specific day at our Whitstable office she is always happy to see clients there should they prefer.

Memberships

Member of the Probate Section of the Law Society.
Member of Solicitors for the Elderly.
Student member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), Court of Protection Approved Panel Deputy.