Hilary Cragg

25 May

Partner, in the Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate Team and Care Support Team

Hilary came to the law after careers in retail, training and banking. She joined Nash & Co in 2008 as a trainee solicitor and qualified on 1 March 2010. Hilary has a particular interest in issues concerning elderly and vulnerable clients, and has amassed considerable experience in matters relating to funding of care home fees including NHS Continuing Healthcare funding and discharge issues, particularly supporting people at Best Interests meetings.

In March 2012 she passed the entrance exam and became an Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly and in October 2012, became a Committee Member of the Devon & Cornwall Regional Group for Solicitors for the Elderly, currently she is the Treasurer. Hilary was also admitted as a Full Member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) in April 2016, having passed the exams via the Qualified Practitioner route. This permits her to use the designatory letters TEP (Trust and Estate Practitioner).

Hilary Cragg

hcragg@nash.co.uk
01752 827047
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In line with her expertise on dementia, she is part of the Prime Ministers Rural Task and Finish Group, the Air Travel Group and the Fishing Industry Group for Dementia Awareness; she is also part of the Plymouth Dementia Action Alliance and the Torbay Dementia Action Alliance. She became both a Dementia Friend and a Dementia Champion (as part of the Dementia Friends social action movement) and is a Purple Angel Ambassador.

Hilary is a Trustee of Plymouth Music Zone, which she took on in September 2014. PMZ is a local charity using music to make a difference in peoples lives. In addition, Hilary is Chair of Trustees of Memory Matters Foundation from June 2019, which is associated with Memory Matters and Moment Café, all of which support people living with dementia and their carers.

Hilary writes a regular blog on the subject of Elderly Client Law (elderlylaw.wordpress.com). You can also find her on Twitter (@hilarycragg).

Hilary is also the author of the published book “Compassion with Dementia”, the essential guide to living well with dementia. You can follow updates on Instagram (@hilarycraggdementia) and Facebook (@hilarycraggcompassionwithdementia).

Accreditations

Client reviews

Care Support insights

Insights

New Year Resolutions: Sky Diving, Base Jumping, Lasting Power of Attorney?

As we usher in the New Year many of us focus on what we plan to achieve in the next few months, that might be confronting our fears with an extreme sport or, maybe, preparing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Just as extreme sports enthusiasts prepare for the unknown, why not embark on the adventure of securing your future through a LPA?

Securing A Legacy: The Power of Business LPAs

As the years passed, Buddy and Chip’s workshop continued to flourish. Buddy and Holly watched their little elves excitedly dance around the workshop, basking in the vision that one day his children would take over his legacy.

Lasting Powers of Attorney and the Transgender community

The transgender community face many unique legal challenges. One challenge that you may face as a transgender person is ensuring that your financial and personal affairs are properly managed, taking into consideration your gender identity, in the event that you become unable to make decisions for yourself. A Lasting Power of Attorney can be essential to ensure that your interests are protected, and your wishes heard.

How can I maintain my business in the event I’m no longer able to make decisions?

If you are a business owner or director considering what might happen to your business if you were unexpectedly away or unable to make decisions, it may seem like an unlikely eventuality. In today’s climate, there could be a number of situations which mean you are not able to run your business as you would normally.

Why can’t I come in?

Writing a Will or Power of Attorney can sometimes be a daunting time and many families come along to an appointment to support a loved one, only to find themselves being left in a waiting room. There are lots of reasons why you might be asked to leave a meeting or stay in a waiting room whilst a relative is seen alone by their lawyer. Here are some of the common reasons your relative might need to be seen alone.

Am I too young to need a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)?

With the shocking news that Fiona Phillips at the age of 62 has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, a question that I am asked often in my job is when is a good time to be thinking about Lasting Powers of Attorney?

The short answer is as soon as possible!

5 reasons why you should make Lasting Powers of Attorney

There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). One allows your attorney(s) to make decisions about your property & financial affairs and the other allows your attorney(s) to make decisions about your health and welfare.

NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC) – The Process

Now that CHC has been imbedded with the National Framework for some years now, the CCGs understand much more about the process, but that does not mean that everyone who works in the CHC process does.

NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding (CHC)

What is NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding? It is funding granted by the NHS, which regionally means the local Clinical Commissioning Group.

Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia

Frontal temporal lobe dementia is a relatively rare form of dementia, it can also be known as Frontotemporal Dementia. It is only approximately 5% of all dementia cases. Some dementias may show damage to the frontal temporal lobe. Therefore, demonstrating some of the attributes of frontal temporal lobe dementia, but not necessarily all of them.

What are the early signs of dementia?

The definition of dementia is damage to the brain that affects a person’s day-to-day living and is deteriorating. This can often take the form of both forgetting and confusion. However, the crucial part, of detecting early signs of dementia, is recognising that something has changed and that that change is permanent. Rather than a temporary difference that is recoverable from such as a small isolated stroke.

When is the right time for someone to go into care?

This seems like such a simple question, but the answer to it is highly complex. Each person who may need to go into care is unique, and their circumstances are as unique as they are. Therefore, each person must have their own circumstances considered as an individual.

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Best interests meeting

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