Pinney Talfourd LLP Gives Free Advice to Healthcare Workers
Catherine Polli, Partner and Head of the Family Department at Pinney Talfourd LLP and Emma Waters, an Associate Solicitor in the Private Client Department at the firm, recently addressed a Macmillan Cancer Support and Basildon University Hospital Study Day to advise healthcare workers on legal matters that affect terminally ill cancer patients.
Catherine says: "We cover all the legal issues surrounding the death of a patient, both before and after death. We give advice on making a will, how to protect a child, for example appointing a guardian, and on property matters such as whose name the property should be in. After death, there's the question of probate and how the estate will be divided up, taxes payable and advice on how to close accounts."
This recent Family Matters Study Day is just one in a series of training days that Pinney Talfourd LLP run across London and Essex. Working in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, Catherine and Emma offer their services free of charge. Feedback has shown that healthcare workers find their advice extremely helpful.
"Many of the Macmillan nurses and NHS care workers that come along to the talks are dealing with these kinds of situations every day. They encounter a lot of patients who are afraid, or not yet ready to face a lot of the issues, particularly with regard to young children. It's a very traumatic time and needs to be approached very sensitively."
After her own mother was successfully treated for cancer, Catherine approached Macmillan Cancer Support about ways in which Pinney Talfourd LLP could help the local community.
She says: " Macmillan were so helpful and excited about the whole idea that they were able to move the project forward. As Macmillan organise all the events we can just turn up and talk, and that is why we are able to offer our services for free. From our point of view, it's really rewarding to get out and talk to people from the local community."
About Macmillan Cancer Support: when you are living with cancer, the difference between a good day and a bad day can often come down to really small things. Getting clear information on an issue you're worrying about, finding out you can get some financial support or just having a chat with someone who understands. This is how Macmillan Cancer Support helps thousands of people every day to have more to have more good days. If you or someone you know is living with cancer and would like answers, support or just a chat, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call Macmillan on 0808 808 00 00 - one new number, no matter what your question.
