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Expert Mental Capacity Assessments
Independent, decision-specific mental capacity assessments for families, solicitors, deputies, local authorities and healthcare professionals across England and Wales.
At Nellie Supports, we deliver clear, court-ready mental capacity assessments for a wide range of decisions, including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, property transactions, financial management, litigation, Court of Protection matters, and other specialist issues. Every assessment is completed by a qualified professional and prepared in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and relevant case law.
Where required, our reports are produced in a CPR Part 35-compliant format for use in legal proceedings. We support clients across England and Wales with both Standard and Advanced Mental Capacity Assessments, combining legal accuracy with a straightforward, efficient service.
Whether you need a one-off assessment or a more detailed report for a contested or high-risk matter, we provide clear, reliable evidence from the outset
Trusted by Thousands. Guided by Experience. Committed to You.
6000+
6,000+ Mental Capacity Assessments Completed
50+ Years
50+ Years of Combined Expertise
100%
Nationwide Coverage Across England & Wales
4.9 ⭐
Find Your Mental Capacity Assessment in 60 Seconds
Not sure which assessment you need? Our quick finder helps you identify the right mental capacity assessment for your situation. Answer a few simple questions about the decision type, and we'll recommend the most appropriate service. Or browse all assessment types below.
Types of Decisions We Assess
Mental capacity is always decision-specific, and our team is experienced in assessing capacity for a wide range of circumstances. Whether you need evidence to support a property sale, lifetime gift, creation of a Lasting Power of Attorney, or any other important choice, we’re here to help. Every assessment is tailored to your individual situation and fully compliant with the Mental Capacity Act (2005), giving you clarity and confidence that your report will meet legal and professional standards.
Capacity to Grant Lasting Power of Attorney
Assess whether a person can understand and make the decision to create a Lasting Power of Attorney for property and financial affairs or health and welfare.
Capacity to Revoke Lasting Power of Attorney
Assess whether a person can understand the effect and consequences of cancelling an existing Lasting Power of Attorney.
Capacity to Manage Finances
Assess whether a person can understand, weigh and make decisions about money, bank accounts, bills, savings and day-to-day financial management.
Capacity to Buy, Sell or Transfer Property
Assess whether a person can understand the nature, value, risks and consequences of buying, selling or transferring property.
Capacity to Enter into a Contract
Assess whether a person can understand the terms, obligations and consequences of entering into a legally binding agreement.
Capacity for Equity Release
Assess whether a person can understand the financial implications, risks and long-term consequences of releasing equity from their property.
COP3 Mental Capacity Assessment
Assess whether a person lacks capacity for the purposes of a Court of Protection application and deputyship proceedings.
Decision-Specific COP3 Mental Capacity Assessment
Assess whether a person can understand the effect and consequences of cancelling an existing Lasting Power of Attorney.
Statutory Will
Assess whether a person lacks testamentary capacity in cases where the Court of Protection may need to authorise a statutory Will.
Capacity to Litigate
Assess whether a person can understand legal proceedings, instruct representatives and participate effectively in litigation.
Capacity to Instruct a Solicitor
Assess whether a person can understand legal advice, weigh their options, and give clear instructions to a solicitor about their case or legal affairs.
Enhanced Mental Capacity Assessment
For complex, contested or high-risk matters requiring enhanced psychometric testing, deeper analysis and stronger evidential support.
Retrospective Mental Capacity Assessment
Assess capacity at a past point in time using records, witness evidence and historical information, often in contested or probate matters.
Testamentary Capacity Assessment
Assess whether a person has capacity to make, amend or revoke a Will using the correct legal framework for Will-making decisions.
PA14 Probate Medical Certificate
Provide professional evidence relating to capacity in probate matters where a PA14 certificate is required.
Capacity to Make Gifts
Assess whether a person can understand the nature, value and consequences of making a financial gift or transfer of assets.
Capacity to Act as a Trustee
Assess whether a person can understand and carry out the legal duties and responsibilities of acting as a trustee.
Capacity for Residency
Assess whether a person can make decisions about where they live, including returning home, supported living or residential care arrangements.
Health and Welfare Mental Capacity Assessment
Assess whether a person can make a specific health or welfare decision affecting their care, daily life or personal circumstances.
Capacity to Decide Care and Support Arrangements
Assess whether a person can understand and decide what care, support and assistance they need in everyday life.
Capacity for Contact
Assess whether a person can understand and decide issues relating to contact with other people, including family members or professionals.
Capacity to Marry
Assess whether a person can understand the nature of marriage and the duties and responsibilities that come with it.
Capacity for Sexual Relations
Assess whether a person can understand the nature of sexual relations and the relevant risks, consequences and choices involved.
Capacity to Divorce
Assess whether a person can understand the nature and consequences of divorce and make decisions about ending their marriage.
What Is Mental Capacity?
Mental capacity is the ability to make a specific decision at the time that decision needs to be made. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, a person has capacity if they can understand the relevant information, retain it, use or weigh it as part of the decision-making process, and communicate their decision.
A person may have capacity for some decisions but not others. For example, someone may be able to make everyday choices about daily life while lacking capacity for more complex legal, financial or welfare decisions. That is why every mental capacity assessment must be tailored to the exact decision in question.
The Two-Stage Test: How Mental Capacity Is Assessed
Following case law (A Local Authority v JB [2021] UKSC 52), modern assessments use a functional-first approach. Here is how it works:
Stage 1: The Functional Test
Can the person do all of the following?
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Understand the relevant information about the decision
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Retain that information long enough to make the decision
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Use or weigh the information as part of their decision-making process
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Communicate their decision by any means (speech, sign language, blinking, etc.)
If the answer to all four questions is yes, the person has capacity for that specific decision. If they struggle with even one element, we move to Stage 2.
Stage 2: The Diagnostic Test
If the person cannot do one or more of the above, is that inability caused by an impairment or disturbance in the functioning of the mind or brain?
This second stage confirms whether any lack of capacity is due to a medical or psychological condition, as required by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Conditions might include dementia, learning disabilities, brain injury, mental health conditions, or the effects of medication or alcohol.
Two Services, One Gold Standard
Every situation deserves gold-standard evidence, but not every case requires the same depth of investigation. That's why we offer two equally rigorous options, each engineered for a different level of risk and complexity. Both are CPR Part 35-compliant and accepted by courts, solicitors, and local authorities nationwide.
Choose Standard MCA if the decision is straightforward and unlikely to be challenged, you need a quick turnaround, budget is a primary concern, or there are no red flags for undue influence or cognitive decline. Choose Advanced AMCA if the decision involves a large estate or significant financial value, there's family conflict or potential undue influence, the person has shown rapid cognitive change, you anticipate legal challenge, or you need quantified evidence of vulnerability factors.
Mental Capacity Assessment
Enhanced Mental Capacity Assessment
Our flagship one-visit service for straightforward, decision-specific matters such as routine wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, property transactions or day-to-day health-and-welfare choices. A registered assessor applies the MCA 2005 two-stage test, adding a MoCA cognitive screen whenever helpful. You receive a clear, CPR 35-compliant report within 5–10 working days—fast, court-ready, and accepted by solicitors nationwide.
Built on the same gold-standard foundations but engineered for higher-risk, contested or high-value scenarios—large estates, family conflict, suspected undue influence or rapid cognitive change. After a brief phone triage, we complete targeted psychometric tests at Visit 1 and the formal capacity interview at Visit 2. The result is a CPR 35-compliant report plus a plain-English Psychometric Summary that quantifies cognitive, emotional and vulnerability factors—extra armour when a decision may be challenged.
Mental Capacity Assessment (MCA) | Advanced Mental Capacity Assessment (AMCA) | |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Standard capacity assessment for a clearly-defined decision (e.g. Will, LPA, property, health & welfare). | Flagship service for complex, high-risk or contested decisions where ordinary interview evidence may require additional supplementary evidence to create a more robust argument |
Ideal for | Most everyday legal or financial choices that still require formal capacity evidence. | Large estates, family conflict, suspected undue influence or exploitation, or any matter likely to be challenged. |
Risk factors addressed | General mental-capacity concerns; assessor escalates if red-flags appear. | Explicit focus on: financial vulnerability, undue influence, cognitive decline, behavioural risk, grief/anxiety impact and other “evidence-pillar” domains. |
Assessment structure | One visit – decision-specific capacity interview (plus optional MoCA if required and appropriate). | Telephone consultation → Visit 1: Psychometric testing → Visit 2: Capacity interview (3-step pathway, but two client visits). |
Psychometric testing | Montreal Cognitive Assessment completed as required and appropriate | Person-Centred battery: MoCA, Financial Vulnerability Assessment, Financial Decision Tracker and assessor-selected NovoPsych scales. |
Emotional / psychological screening | Not included. | Anxiety, grief, trauma and similar factors measured quantitatively so their real impact (or lack of it) is documented. |
Report & legal robustness | CPR35-compliant capacity report. | CPR35-compliant capacity report plus Psychometric Summary Appendix explaining every score in plain English. |
Cost | £496.00 | £995.00 |
Mental Capacity Assessment: From £496.00 + VAT Advanced Mental Capacity Assessment: £995.00 + VAT
Travel fees apply (£40/hour). All assessments include same-day admin response and secure report delivery.
Unsure which service fits your situation? Book a free 15-minute consultation with our team.
How Support Typically Starts
A conversation to understand the decision that needs to be assessed, the circumstances involved, and what type of mental capacity assessment may be appropriate.
Initial Enquiry
A conversation to understand the decision that needs to be assessed, the circumstances involved, and what type of mental capacity assessment may be appropriate.
Quote and Instruction
Clear advice on the most suitable assessment route, including whether a standard or advanced report is likely to be needed, with transparent pricing and next steps.
Appointment Booking
Once you decide to proceed, we arrange a suitable assessment appointment and allocate a qualified professional based on the decision involved, the person’s needs, location, and any legal or practical considerations.
Assessment
A qualified professional carries out the assessment using the relevant legal framework, with a structured and person-centred approach tailored to the decision in question.
Report Delivery and Follow-Up
A clear, decision-specific report is prepared and delivered securely, with further clarification available where families, solicitors or other professionals need follow-up support.
Why Choose Nellie Supports for Your Mental Capacity Assessment?
Arranging a mental capacity assessment can feel high-stakes, particularly where important legal, financial, welfare or Court of Protection decisions are involved. The quality of the assessment, the clarity of the reasoning, and the structure of the report can all make a significant difference to how the evidence is understood and relied upon.
At Nellie Supports, we provide independent mental capacity assessments delivered by qualified, registered professionals with specialist experience across decision-specific capacity work. Our approach is structured, evidence-based and grounded in the legal framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, ensuring every assessment is tailored to the exact decision that needs to be made.
Families, solicitors, deputies and professionals choose Nellie Supports because we provide:
• clear, decision-specific assessments tailored to the individual circumstances of each case
• reports prepared in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and relevant case law
• CPR Part 35-compliant reporting where legal proceedings require court-ready evidence
• a structured, person-centred assessment process that is both professional and compassionate
• independent opinions for families, legal professionals, local authorities and healthcare teams
• transparent pricing, prompt communication and nationwide coverage across England and Wales
Our work does not sit in isolation. With wider expertise across social care, care funding, litigation support and Court of Protection matters, we understand the broader context in which mental capacity evidence is often needed. This allows us to provide reports that are not only clinically and legally robust, but also practical, relevant and responsive to the real issues in dispute.
Whether you need a straightforward capacity assessment for a Will, LPA or property transaction, or a more complex report for litigation, deputyship or disputed decision-making, our role is to provide clarity, independence and professionally reasoned evidence from the outset.
Related Services You May Also Need
Explore other services from Nellie Supports that may be relevant alongside a mental capacity assessment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. The listed prices are exclusive of 20% VAT.
No. Travel costs are not included in the listed prices.
Yes, in most cases. To advocate effectively, we need to understand your child’s needs, educational difficulties and the evidence supporting the case. The Evidence Pack brings together the key documentation and includes specialist assessments and expert reports prepared by our team, giving us the knowledge and evidence needed to support you properly at mediation.
Yes, in most cases. Tribunal representation requires us to know your child, understand the history of the case, and work from a strong body of evidence. The Evidence Pack not only pulls together the relevant information, but also includes specialist assessments and expert reports from our team. This helps ensure we are fully prepared and that the case is backed by the evidence needed to argue it effectively.
The hourly consultation rate is £120.00 plus VAT.Yes. Little Nellies offers a One-Stop Evidence Pack in both virtual and face-to-face formats
A standard mental capacity assessment is usually appropriate for straightforward, decision-specific matters where clear formal evidence is needed. An enhanced mental capacity assessment is designed for more complex, contested or higher-risk cases where additional psychometric testing and deeper analysis may be required.
Our standard Mental Capacity Assessment starts from £496 + VAT, and our Advanced Mental Capacity Assessment is £995 + VAT. Travel fees may apply depending on location. We provide clear pricing and explain the available options before instruction.
The length of the appointment depends on the type of decision being assessed, the person’s needs, and the complexity of the case. Straightforward assessments are often completed in a single visit, while more complex cases may require a longer or staged process.
Most standard reports are delivered within 5 to 10 working days of the assessment. If a matter is particularly urgent, let us know and we can discuss whether a faster turnaround may be possible.
Yes. All reports are prepared in a CPR Part 35-compliant format suitable for legal proceedings. We regularly provide reports for families, solicitors, deputies, local authorities and other professionals who need clear, professionally reasoned evidence.
Yes. Assessments can often be completed at home, in a care setting, in hospital, or at another appropriate location, depending on the individual’s needs and circumstances.
In some cases, yes. Whether a remote assessment is appropriate depends on the decision involved, the person’s presentation, and whether a reliable and fair assessment can be completed in that format
If the person is found to lack capacity for the specific decision in question, the next steps will depend on the type of decision involved. In some situations, a best interests process may be required. In others, legal steps such as deputyship, Court of Protection applications, or alternative decision-making arrangements may need to be considered.
Yes. Capacity can change depending on the person’s condition, treatment, environment, or the complexity of the decision. Some people may have fluctuating capacity, which is why assessments must always relate to the specific decision and the time it needs to be made.
A COP3 mental capacity assessment is a report used in Court of Protection proceedings, usually where evidence is needed about whether a person lacks capacity to make certain decisions and whether a deputyship or other court intervention may be required.
Testamentary capacity is the legal term for the capacity to make or change a Will. It requires the person to understand the nature of making a Will, the extent of their estate, and the claims of those who might reasonably expect to benefit.
A retrospective mental capacity assessment considers whether a person had capacity at a past point in time. These assessments are often needed in disputed probate, litigation or financial matters and usually rely on records, documents and other historical evidence.
Assessments may be requested by the person themselves, family members, solicitors, deputies, local authorities, healthcare professionals or other parties involved in the decision-making process, depending on the circumstances.
That is very common. If you are unsure which type of capacity assessment is needed, our team can discuss the situation with you, identify the relevant decision, and explain the most suitable assessment route before you proceed.
Speak to Our Team About Your Case
Arranging a mental capacity assessment can feel high-stakes, particularly where important legal, financial, welfare or Court of Protection decisions are involved.
Clear, independent and professionally reasoned evidence can make a significant difference to how a decision is understood, how a case progresses, and how confidently families and professionals can move forward.
If you would like to discuss your situation, our team can help identify the right assessment, explain the options available, and ensure the process is handled clearly, professionally and without unnecessary delay.