Legal Eagle: Next of Kin and Power of Attorney

July 29, 2017 by Melinda @ Giles Wilson Solicitors

Q: My partner and I have lived together for 20 years (we are now both 46). He recently had a terrible accident and was basically out of it for a few weeks and the hospital would not even talk to me about his care - they insisted that his next of kin was his son who is only 22 and is not even close to his dad and does not get on with me at all. Thank goodness my partner is recovered now but we still cannot understand why that happened and what our rights are?

A: There is no official next of kin for all eventualities and actually in that case the hospital should have consulted you although your step-son was the next of kin in that particular scenario. It is possible to make a Power of Attorney for health and welfare decisions and I would suggest to you both that you do so - this will then cover all situations for you both.

This article is by Melinda Giles at Giles Wilson Solicitors.
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