Mental Capacity Assessment to Manage Finances
When you need a mental capacity assessment for managing finances, clarity matters. Whether you're activating a Lasting Power of Attorney, applying for a Court of Protection deputyship, managing a litigation settlement, or addressing family concerns, banks and courts need professional evidence of capacity.
Nellie Supports has completed over 6,000 mental capacity assessments, including thousands for financial capacity decisions. We understand exactly what banks, courts, and legal teams require. Our assessments are court-ready, peer-reviewed by a second qualified professional, and delivered fast.
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What Is a Mental Capacity Assessment for Managing Finances?
A mental capacity assessment for managing finances evaluates whether someone has the legal and mental ability to make decisions about their money and property. It answers a simple but critical question: Does this person understand financial decisions well enough to make them?
Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, capacity is decision-specific. Someone might have capacity to decide what to wear but lack capacity to manage a complex financial portfolio. We assess capacity for the specific financial decision in question, whether that's managing day-to-day spending, making investment decisions, or granting a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Why These Assessments Matter
Financial capacity assessments are commonly needed for:
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Activating a Lasting Power of Attorney: When a registered LPA is only active upon loss of capacity, we assess whether that moment has arrived and capacity has been lost
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Bank and Building Society Concerns: When financial institutions have concerns about someone's capacity and refuse to recognize a power of attorney without professional assessment
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Litigation Settlements: In personal injury claims and other litigation where settlements have been awarded, we assess capacity to manage the settlement funds
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Family Concerns: When families are concerned about financial decisions their loved ones are making and need professional clarity on capacity
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Court of Protection Applications: When a COP3 deputyship application is being made because someone lacks capacity to manage their finances
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Safeguarding: When there are concerns about financial abuse or exploitation and capacity needs to be established
When, Where, Who & How Much — Your Financial Capacity Questions Answered
Where Do We Conduct the Assessment?
We come to you - wherever is most comfortable and appropriate for the person being assessed.
Face-to-face assessments (95% of our cases):
At home: The most common choice. We conduct the assessment in familiar surroundings where the person feels comfortable and secure.
In a care home or nursing facility: We work with care staff to find a quiet, private space at a time when the person is at their cognitive optimum.
In hospital: If the person is medically stable and free from acute illness or infection, we can conduct the assessment in a hospital setting.
At our office: Available if preferred, though less common for financial capacity assessments.
Remote video assessments: Available where appropriate, though we recommend face-to-face for most financial capacity assessments. Video assessments work best when:
The person is comfortable with technology
They have a quiet, private space for the call
Their communication needs can be met remotely
Face-to-face is genuinely impractical (e.g., geographic distance, urgent timeline)
Why face-to-face matters: Financial capacity assessments often involve discussing complex information - property values, bank accounts, income sources, expenditure. Face-to-face allows us to observe non-verbal communication, adapt our approach in real-time, and ensure the person is not disadvantaged by the assessment method.
Nationwide coverage: We operate across England and Wales with no geographic restrictions.
When Will You Need This Assessment?
Common scenarios that trigger the need for a financial capacity assessment:
For Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA):
Your relative's bank refuses to activate the LPA without formal capacity evidence
You're concerned your relative no longer understands what the LPA means or who they've appointed
You need to demonstrate to financial institutions that the LPA should now be used
For Court of Protection Applications:
No LPA exists, and you need legal authority to manage someone's finances
You're applying for deputyship for property and financial affairs
The court requires a mental capacity assessment as part of your application
For Safeguarding & Protection:
You suspect financial abuse or exploitation
Banks have frozen accounts due to concerns about capacity or undue influence
Social services have raised safeguarding concerns about financial decision-making
For Legal & Professional Matters:
Solicitors need capacity evidence for statutory wills or financial gift applications
Professional deputies require ongoing capacity reviews
Financial advisers need confirmation of capacity before proceeding with investments or pension decisions
Timing matters: Most families contact us when a crisis hits - a bank refuses access, bills go unpaid, or safeguarding concerns emerge. The sooner you act, the sooner you can protect your relative's financial security.
Who Needs a Mental Capacity Assessment for Managing Finances?
When someone you care about can no longer manage their money independently - whether due to dementia, brain injury, or another condition - understanding their mental capacity becomes essential. Not just for legal compliance, but for protecting their dignity, autonomy, and financial security.
A mental capacity assessment for managing finances evaluates whether a person has the ability to make decisions about their property and financial affairs. This includes understanding their bank accounts, property, income, and expenditure - and being able to use that information to make informed choices.
These assessments are needed when:
Banks require proof of incapacity before activating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Families need to apply for Court of Protection deputyship to manage finances legally
Solicitors require capacity evidence for statutory wills or financial gift applications
Local authorities need formal assessments for safeguarding or care planning purposes
Our assessments are conducted by registered social workers with extensive experience in mental capacity law. Every report is court-ready, CPR Part 35-compliant, and written in clear, accessible language that courts, banks, and families can understand immediately.
The outcome? A detailed, legally robust report that provides the evidence you need to protect someone's financial affairs - while respecting their dignity every step of the way.
Transparent Pricing for Financial Capacity Assessments
We believe in straightforward pricing with no hidden fees.
Standard Financial Capacity Assessment (Face-to-Face): £496 plus VAT, delivered within 10–14 days.
Video Assessment (Remote): £496 plus VAT, delivered within 7 days.
Complex or Dual-Decision Assessment: £707–£767 plus VAT, delivered within 10–14 days.
Retrospective Capacity Assessment: £3,245 plus VAT, delivered within 14–21 days.
Travel Time (if applicable): £40 per hour.
What's Included
Pre-assessment consultation, face-to-face or video assessment appointment, detailed court-ready report meeting CPR Part 35 standards, electronic delivery (PDF), and post-assessment support. A wet-signature copy via Royal Mail is available for a small admin fee (approximately £15–20).
Payment Terms
Invoice issued upon booking. Payment due before report delivery. We accept bank transfer, credit/debit card, and payment from solicitors' client accounts.
Why Our Pricing Is Fair
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Expertise: Our assessors are registered social workers with specialist training in mental capacity law and years of practical experience.
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Quality: Every report is court-ready and CPR Part 35-compliant with a 99% court acceptance rate.
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Speed: 7–14 day turnaround compared to weeks or months waiting for NHS or local authority assessments that may never materialise.
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Independence: Our assessments are impartial and objective, not constrained by budget pressures or service backlogs.
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Transparency: No hidden fees. What you see is what you pay.
Getting a Quote: Every situation is different. If you're unsure which assessment type applies to your situation, we're happy to provide a tailored quote. Request a Quote
Why Choose Nellie Supports for Your Financial Capacity Assessment?
We've completed over 6,000 mental capacity assessments nationwide. Our team has 50+ years of combined experience. We're the largest provider of mental capacity assessments in the UK, which means we understand the complexities, the legal requirements, and the human side of every case.
What this means for you: You're working with specialists who've seen every scenario. We know what courts expect, what banks require, and what families need.
Every assessment is conducted by a registered social worker with specialist training in mental capacity law. Our assessors hold Best Interest Assessor (BIA) qualifications and undertake ongoing CPD to stay current with case law and best practice.
Our wider team includes psychologists, SEND specialists, and a forensic scientist. For complex cases, we draw on this multidisciplinary expertise to ensure thorough, robust assessments.
What this means for you: You're not getting a generic service. You're getting expert knowledge from professionals who specialise in mental capacity assessments day in, day out.
Our reports meet the Civil Procedure Rules Part 35 standards for expert evidence. We have a 99% court acceptance rate. Banks, solicitors, and the Court of Protection routinely accept our assessments without question or request for clarification.
Every report includes background information, detailed assessment methodology, findings against the Mental Capacity Act 2005 four-stage test, and clear conclusions with recommendations. Written in plain English, accessible to courts, families, and professionals.
What this means for you: No delays. No challenges. No requests for further evidence. Your case progresses smoothly.
We operate across England and Wales with no geographic restrictions. We conduct 95% of our assessments face-to-face because this is often the most appropriate method to ensure the person is not disadvantaged. Remote video assessments are available where suitable.
What this means for you: We come to you. Home, care setting, hospital, or wherever the person is most comfortable. No need to travel. No logistical barriers.
We conduct assessments at the person's cognitive optimum: best time of day, comfortable environment, communication tailored to individual needs. We use non-verbal methods where appropriate. We explain everything in accessible language. We treat every person with dignity and respect.
Our elephant motif symbolises compassion, collaboration, empathy, and protection. These aren't just words. They're the values that guide every assessment.
What this means for you: The person being assessed feels heard, respected, and comfortable. Families feel supported. Professionals receive clear, compassionate reports that reflect the person's reality, not just a tick-box exercise.
We're not employed by the NHS, local authorities, or care providers. We're not constrained by budget pressures or service backlogs. Our only obligation is to provide an honest, thorough assessment.
We're members of BASW (British Association of Social Workers) and the Financial Vulnerability Taskforce. We're professionally insured and GDPR compliant.
What this means for you: You can trust our findings. Courts trust our findings. Banks trust our findings. Our independence protects everyone involved.
Our Process – Step by Step
Contact 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.
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How We Helped Mrs H Activate Her LPA When the Bank Said No
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:
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Understand her income and regular expenses
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Weigh up the consequences of managing (or mismanaging) her money
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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.
We also provide mental capacity assessments for other decisions including health and welfare capacity, testamentary mental capacity (wills), LPA mental capacity assessments, and retrospective mental capacity assessments establishing capacity at a specific point in the past. We also support families and professionals navigating continuing healthcare (CHC) funding appeals, where mental capacity assessment often plays a crucial role in securing appropriate care funding.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
A financial capacity assessment evaluates whether someone has the mental capacity to make decisions about their property and financial affairs under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The assessment determines if the person can understand, retain, use, and communicate information about their finances, including bank accounts, property, income, and expenditure. It's commonly required for activating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), Court of Protection deputyship applications, and when banks or financial institutions request formal capacity evidence.
You typically need this assessment when a bank refuses to activate an LPA without capacity evidence, when applying for Court of Protection deputyship because no LPA exists, when there are safeguarding concerns about financial abuse, or when solicitors require capacity evidence for statutory wills or financial gift applications. The assessment is also needed when professional deputies require ongoing capacity reviews or when financial advisers need confirmation of capacity before proceeding with investment or pension decisions.
The assessment appointment typically takes 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the person's engagement and communication needs. The full process from booking to report delivery takes 10–14 days for face-to-face assessments and 7 days for video assessments. Our admin team responds same-day to initial enquiries, and we can accommodate urgent cases where possible with faster turnaround times.
Financial capacity assessments must be conducted by qualified professionals with expertise in mental capacity law. At Nellie Supports, our assessments are delivered by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) including registered social workers, psychologists, and qualified, experienced health and social care professionals. Our assessors are supported by an expert team including solicitors, forensic scientists, and client liaison experts. All our assessors have specialist training in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and are accredited Montreal cognitive assessors, and we provide CPR Part 35-compliant reports for court use with a 99% acceptance rate.
No, a formal medical diagnosis is not required. The assessment focuses on the person's functional ability to understand, retain, use, and communicate information about their finances, not on their medical diagnosis. However, medical information such as dementia, brain injury, stroke, or mental health conditions provides helpful context. All of our assessors are MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) accredited. If needed, we can complete a separate Montreal Cognitive Assessment at no additional cost to evidence the person's current cognitive function. This provides essential evidence for forms like the COP3 form and strengthens the overall assessment.
Yes. Our reports are CPR Part 35-compliant and have a 99% court acceptance rate. Banks, solicitors, and the Court of Protection routinely accept our assessments without question or request for clarification. Every report includes detailed evidence, clear methodology, and conclusions that meet legal standards for expert evidence. We provide electronic delivery with wet-signature copies available if required.
We offer both face-to-face and remote video assessments. However, we conduct 95% of our assessments face-to-face because this is often the most appropriate method for financial capacity assessments. Face-to-face allows us to observe non-verbal communication, adapt our approach in real-time, and ensure the person is not disadvantaged. Video assessments work best when the person is comfortable with technology, has a quiet private space, and face-to-face is genuinely impractical due to geographic distance or urgent timelines.
This is extremely common. GPs and local authorities are often unable to complete capacity assessments due to workload pressures, lack of capacity, or no statutory responsibility to provide them. Many families and professionals contact us after being told "no" by their GP or local authority. Nellie Supports provides an independent, professional alternative with fast turnaround times (10–14 days compared to weeks or months for NHS services). Our assessments are court-ready and widely accepted by banks and legal institutions.
Our standard financial capacity assessment costs £496 plus VAT for both face-to-face and video assessments. Complex or dual-decision assessments cost £707–£767 plus VAT. Retrospective capacity assessments (establishing capacity at a specific point in the past) cost £3,245 plus VAT. Travel time is charged at £40 per hour if applicable. All prices are transparent with no hidden fees. Invoice is issued upon booking and payment is due before report delivery.
A COP3 assessment is a specific type of financial capacity assessment required for Court of Protection deputyship applications. The COP3 form (Court of Protection Form 3) must be completed by a qualified assessor as part of the deputyship application process. All COP3 assessments are financial capacity assessments, but not all financial capacity assessments require the COP3 form. For example, banks may accept a capacity report without the COP3 form when activating an LPA. We can advise which format you need based on your circumstances.
Yes, in some cases capacity can be regained. For example, someone with an acute illness such as a urinary tract infection or delirium may temporarily lack capacity but regain it once treated. Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Our reports address whether capacity could be regained in the future and under what circumstances. If capacity is regained, a new assessment can be conducted to reflect the changed circumstances.
Our assessors are trained in non-verbal communication methods and have extensive experience working with individuals with communication difficulties. We use visual aids, gestures, written materials, and other tools to ensure the person can engage meaningfully in the assessment. Communication difficulties do not automatically mean someone lacks capacity. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 requires all practicable steps to be taken to help someone communicate their decision before concluding they lack capacity.
Our qualified assessor (social worker, psychologist, or health and social care professional) meets with the person at a time and location where they are most comfortable and at their cognitive optimum. This can be face-to-face at home, in a care setting, in hospital, or via video if appropriate.
We take a therapeutic conversational approach rather than a clinical interview. We explain the purpose of the assessment in accessible language and discuss their understanding of their property, finances, income, and expenditure. We explore their ability to retain, use, and weigh this information and assess their capacity to communicate their decision.
If needed, we can complete a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at no additional cost to evidence current cognitive function. The assessment is conducted with patience, respect, and dignity, tailored to the person's communication needs and circumstances.
Yes. We conduct assessments in care homes, nursing facilities, and hospitals across England and Wales. For care home assessments, we work with care staff to find a quiet, private space at a time when the person is at their cognitive optimum. For hospital assessments, the person must be medically stable and free from acute illness or infection that could temporarily affect their capacity. We coordinate with hospital staff to ensure the assessment environment is appropriate and distraction-free.
CPR Part 35 (Civil Procedure Rules Part 35) sets out the standards for expert evidence in civil court proceedings. Our reports are fully CPR Part 35-compliant, which means they meet the court's strict requirements for expert testimony. This includes: the expert's duty is to the court (not to the party instructing them), written evidence is preferred over oral testimony, and the report must be clear, objective, and based on established methodology. Our 99% court acceptance rate reflects our commitment to these standards. Courts trust CPR Part 35-compliant reports because they know the expert has followed rigorous professional standards.