How long does a Capacity to Manage Finances assessment take?

Most assessments take between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the financial decision.

Do I need a diagnosis before the assessment?

No — the law does not require a formal medical diagnosis. What matters is functional evidence of how any impairment affects the ability to manage finances.

Will the report be accepted by banks and the Court of Protection?

Yes — our reports are written in a court-compliant format suitable for use with financial institutions, solicitors, and the Court of Protection.

How quickly will I get the report?

You will receive your completed report within 10–14 days of the assessment. Urgent turnaround is available on request.

Can the assessment be done remotely?

In some cases, yes — we can assess by secure video call if it is appropriate for the person’s needs and the decision in question.

A happy multigenerational family at home, symbolising support and trust across generations — Capacity to Manage Finances assessments with Nellie Supports.

Mental Capacity Assessment to Manage Finances

Independent, decision-specific assessments to confirm whether a person has the capacity to manage their property and financial affairs. Court-ready reports accepted by solicitors, banks, and the Court of Protection.

Contact Us to Discuss Your Case

An elderly woman sitting on a bench in a garden, reflecting on financial decisions and future planning — highlighting why financial capacity assessments matter.

What Is a Financial Capacity Assessment?

A financial capacity assessment is an independent evaluation of whether a person can manage their property and financial affairs in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

During the assessment, we explore the person’s ability to:

Understand their financial situation — including income, outgoings, assets, and liabilities.
Retain this information long enough to make a decision.
Use or weigh the information to compare options and consider consequences (for example, paying bills vs. leaving them unpaid).
Communicate their decision, whether verbally or through other means.

The assessment is decision-specific, meaning it focuses only on the ability to make financial decisions — not on other areas of life.

Our reports are written in a CPR Part 35–compliant format, ensuring they can be relied upon by solicitors, banks, and the Court of Protection.

Need to speak to someone? Call our team today.

When, Where, Who & How Much — Your Financial Capacity Questions Answered

01

When You’ll Need a Financial Capacity Assessment

You may need a Mental Capacity Assessment to

Manage Finances when:

You are applying to the Court of Protection for a property & affairs deputyship
A solicitor, bank, or financial institution requires evidence of the person’s ability to deal with money or transactions
There are concerns about mismanaging finances, vulnerability to financial abuse, or undue influence
The person receives an inheritance, settlement, or lump sum and it’s unclear whether they can handle it
Questions arise about whether the person can manage ongoing budgeting, banking, or expenditure

02

Where We Perform the Assessment

We provide assessments across England & Wales, meeting in locations convenient and comfortable for the person (home, care setting, or solicitor’s office). Where appropriate, we also offer secure remote assessments (via video link) to supplement the in-person work or for follow-up clarification.

03

Who Can Conduct It & What Makes Ours Different

A financial capacity assessment must be conducted by a suitably qualified and experienced professional, such as:

Registered social workers with expertise in the Mental Capacity Act
Doctors (GPs, psychiatrists, consultants)
Occupational therapists or clinicians with relevant capacity experience
Suitably qualified and experienced professionals with psychology or cognitive training

At Nellie Supports, our assessors are full-time, in-house professionals specialising in capacity assessments. Because they work within a multidisciplinary team, your assessment benefits from peer review, quality assurance, and reduced delays - not just a one-off consultant.

04

Cost / Pricing

Our Capacity to Manage Finances assessment is priced at £496.00 (exclusive of VAT and assessor travel).

This includes:

The full structured assessment (face-to-face or remote)
Clear, court-ready reporting with findings and recommendations
Written documentation suitable for solicitors, deputies, banks, or the Court of Protection

If the case involves unusual complexity, multiple financial domains, or requires additional expert input, we will provide a written estimate in advance. You’ll always receive a written fee confirmation before any work begins.

Book a financial mental capacity assessment now

Why Choose Nellie Supports?

Assessments start from £495 + VAT (+ travel), with clear costs agreed upfront.
Reports delivered within 5–10 working days, helping you register LPAs without delay.
Every assessment follows the Mental Capacity Act 2005 functional-first test, ensuring legal compliance and reliability.
Our assessors include independent social workers, psychologists, and other qualified professionals — matched to the needs of each case.
All reports are delivered in a CPR Part 35–compliant format, trusted by solicitors, the Office of the Public Guardian, and the courts.

Our Process – Step by Step

Call Us to Discuss Your Needs

You contact our friendly team to explain the situation, the decision in question, and any background information. We confirm the assessment type and answer any initial questions about the process.

Book a Face-to-Face Appointment

We arrange a convenient date and time for the assessment. This is usually carried out in the person’s home or another familiar setting to help them feel at ease.

Assessment and Report Writing

Following the face-to-face assessment, we prepare a clear, court-ready report that is fully CPR Part 35 compliant, meeting the standards required by the Court of Protection.

Report Delivered Within 10–14 Days

You receive the completed report within 10–14 days of the assessment. For urgent cases, faster turnaround options are available.

A confident older woman in a denim shirt, representing clients who may need a financial capacity assessment to activate a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Case Study: Activating a Financial LPA for a Parent with Dementia

When Mrs H began to struggle with her day-to-day finances following a diagnosis of dementia, her son needed to activate her Property & Financial Affairs LPA. The bank, however, requested independent evidence that Mrs H no longer had the capacity to manage her financial affairs.

The Challenge
The family were under pressure to ensure bills were paid and financial decisions managed responsibly, but without an assessment, they faced delays and uncertainty.

Our Solution
Nellie Supports arranged a home visit within a week. Our assessor applied the functional-first test under the MCA 2005, carefully evaluating Mrs H’s ability to:

Understand her income and regular expenses
Weigh up the consequences of managing (or mismanaging) her money
Communicate her understanding and decisions

The Outcome
A detailed, CPR Part 35–compliant report confirmed that Mrs H lacked the capacity to manage her finances. This evidence allowed her son to activate the LPA without further dispute, giving him legal authority to manage her accounts and protect her financial security.

Key Takeaway
Independent financial capacity assessments provide the clear evidence needed to activate LPAs, resolve disputes, and safeguard vulnerable individuals.

Expert Insights on
Financial Capacity

Explore our articles on capacity to manage finances, covering common challenges, legal guidance, and practical advice. Written for solicitors, deputies, and families navigating financial decision-making under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.