Scrooge considers the future

Ebenezer Scrooge routinely spent many hours contemplating the past, and the present, and sometimes the future as well. (Such an activity was free after all, which is something that he liked very much indeed.) Some years ago, as you might recall, he had made his will, but now he was considering what might happen if he couldn’t look after his money and affairs before he went to meet the spirits in the sky. What would happen if he couldn’t do that?

He consulted his local firm of solicitors and found that he could make something called a Lasting Power of Attorney.  This would enable someone else to look after his money for him and allow decisions about his personal care to be made.  The main thing for him to think about, though, was to appoint someone he trusted. “That is an easy question to answer”, he said to himself. “I shall appoint the only person who I do trust. Me.” When he told his solicitors this was what he wanted to do, they quickly pointed out to him that it would defeat the whole object of having someone else look after matters for him.

And, no, you cannot appoint a spirit (not even of the past, present or future kind) as your attorney. Or someone who is dead (Jacob Marley).

Eventually, and after careful consideration, Scrooge decided that his nephew would indeed be the most suitable person to take on this role, being trustworthy, and not someone - at least not yet – who is a spirit.

And so, as Tiny Tim almost said, a Merry Christmas to you all, from everyone here at Gudgeons Prentice.