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Elder law covers the legal issues that commonly affect older adults and their families. In Solna, as in the rest of Sweden, elder law sits at the intersection of civil law - such as wills, inheritance and property - and public law - such as municipal care, health care and social services. Municipalities are primarily responsible for elder care services, while national legislation governs rights in health care, powers of attorney, guardianship and inheritance. Practical elder-law work often includes planning for incapacity, arranging for care, resolving disputes with public authorities or relatives, and handling estates after death.
People consult an elder-law specialist for many reasons. Common situations include:
- Drafting or reviewing wills and inheritance arrangements to reduce uncertainty and family conflict.
- Preparing a framtidsfullmakt - a future power of attorney - so that trusted persons can manage finances and personal matters if capacity is lost.
- Disputes about guardianship or the appointment of a god man or förvaltare for an adult who cannot manage their affairs.
- Challenging decisions by Solna municipality about home care, residential care placement, or social services assessments.
- Problems with healthcare decisions, consent, patient rights and access to needed medical or nursing services.
- Estate administration after a death - identifying assets, paying debts, distributing inheritance under the Ärvdabalken.
- Debt, housing, or consumer issues that disproportionately affect older adults - including suspected fraud or undue influence.
- Advising on taxes, pensions and the interaction between private planning and public benefits administered by Försäkringskassan and Pensionsmyndigheten.
Key laws and legal principles that commonly affect older people in Solna include:
- Socialtjänstlagen (SoL) - the Social Services Act. Municipalities are required to assess needs and provide or arrange social care services such as home help - hemtjänst - and residential care. Decisions follow a needs assessment and can be appealed to the administrative court.
- Hälso- och sjukvårdslagen (HSL) and Patientlagen - these govern health care delivery and patient rights - including informed consent, access to medical records and the right to influence care.
- Lag om framtidsfullmakt - the law on future powers of attorney. A framtidsfullmakt lets a person appoint someone to manage finances and personal matters if they later lose capacity. Formal requirements must be met for validity.
- Rules on guardianship - god man and förvaltare - established by district courts. A god man can help with personal and financial matters with the adult's consent, while a förvaltare is appointed when the person cannot make decisions and stricter supervision is needed.
- Ärvdabalken - the Swedish Inheritance Code. It governs testate and intestate succession, reserved portions for spouses and children, and rules for estate administration.
- Äktenskapsbalken - the Marriage Code. Matrimonial property rules affect how property is divided on death or divorce and therefore influence estate planning.
- National agencies and administrative systems - such as Försäkringskassan, Pensionsmyndigheten, Skatteverket and Socialstyrelsen - provide and enforce rules on benefits, pensions, taxation and professional standards.
- Consumer protection and debt enforcement - the Konsumentverket principles and Kronofogden procedures affect older people who face consumer disputes or debt collection.
A framtidsfullmakt is designed to take effect if and when you lose the capacity to manage your affairs. Traditional powers of attorney are often meant for use while you are still competent. A framtidsfullmakt must meet formal legal requirements to be valid and is intended to give a trusted person the authority to act on your behalf with legal clarity about decisions regarding finances and certain personal matters.
You contact Solna stad - socialtjänsten - to request an assessment. The municipality will perform an investigation of need and then make a decision. If you disagree with the municipality’s decision, you can request a review and ultimately appeal to the administrative court. A lawyer can help prepare appeals and represent you in administrative procedures.
A god man is appointed to assist an adult who needs help managing personal or financial matters but still retains legal capacity. The appointment aims to support the person and is often based on consent. A förvaltare is a more restrictive appointment where the court determines the person cannot manage their affairs and requires a trustee who acts under stricter supervision. The district court decides appointments after an application and assessment.
Yes. Under the Ärvdabalken, certain close relatives have reserved inheritance rights and can contest a will if it violates those rights. Disputes over testament validity - for example due to lack of capacity or undue influence - can be brought before the general courts. Time limits and procedural rules apply, so early legal advice is important.
Under Patientlagen and HSL, patients have the right to be informed, to participate in decision making and to give or withhold consent. If a patient lacks capacity, decisions should follow previously expressed wishes and best interest principles. Complaints about healthcare providers are handled by patient advisory services and, in serious cases, reported to the Health and Social Care Inspectorate or disciplinary bodies.
Municipalities set fees for home care and residential services within limits set by national rules. Fees are typically means-tested and based on income and the level of service. The municipality must provide information about fee calculations. If you believe a fee decision is incorrect, you can request a review and appeal to the administrative court.
Property division depends on matrimonial property rules under the Äktenskapsbalken and any prenuptial agreements. Upon death, the surviving spouse may have rights to part of the estate and to remain in a shared home in many circumstances. Estate administration and any claims on the estate must be handled according to inheritance law and can involve both spouses children and other heirs.
Common steps include arranging a framtidsfullmakt with a trusted person, limiting access to bank cards and online accounts, monitoring financial transactions, and ensuring that a power of attorney or legal guardian has clear instructions and oversight. If abuse or fraud is suspected, report it to the bank, police and social services. A lawyer can help with immediate protective measures, civil remedies and reporting to authorities.
Legal aid - rättshjälp - may be available for some civil matters if you meet means and merits tests. Eligibility and the extent of subsidised legal help depend on the case, your income and assets. Ask a potential lawyer about legal aid, or contact the relevant public authorities for eligibility information. Many lawyers offer initial consultations to estimate cost and funding options.
Look for lawyers or firms that advertise experience in family law, inheritance law, administrative law and elder law issues. Check qualifications, years of experience, client references and whether they have handled municipal appeals, guardianship cases and estate administrations. Ask about fees, whether they offer fixed-fee work or payment plans, and whether they can provide services in your preferred language. You can also verify professional standing through the Swedish Bar Association.
Useful organisations and authorities to contact or consult include:
- Solna stad - socialtjänsten and municipal eldercare offices - for assessments, decisions and local practical services.
- Socialstyrelsen - the National Board of Health and Welfare - for regulations and guidance on care standards.
- Försäkringskassan and Pensionsmyndigheten - for benefits, sickness rules and pensions.
- Skatteverket - for tax and estate reporting questions.
- Kronofogden - for debt enforcement and debtor advice.
- The administrative courts - for appeals of public authority decisions - and the general courts for civil disputes including inheritance.
- The Swedish Bar Association - for checking lawyers’ credentials and professional rules.
- Consumer protection bodies - for consumer and financial disputes affecting older adults.
- Senior organisations such as PRO and SPF Seniorerna - for local support networks and practical advice.
If you or a loved one needs legal assistance in Solna, consider this practical sequence:
- Gather documents - wills, powers of attorney, bank statements, benefit notices, municipal decisions and medical summaries.
- Contact Solna social services if you need an assessment for home care or residential care - keep records of all communications and decisions.
- Seek a consultation with a lawyer who specialises in elder law, inheritance or administrative appeals - ask for a clear fee estimate and whether legal aid might apply.
- Consider drafting or updating a framtidsfullmakt and a will while the person is capable - that reduces future disputes and helps with planning.
- If you face an urgent risk - such as suspected financial abuse or imminent loss of property - contact the bank, police and a lawyer immediately to protect assets and rights.
- If a municipal decision seems wrong, ask the municipality for a written decision, request a review and get legal advice about appealing to the administrative court.
Early planning and prompt legal advice reduce stress and avoid costly disputes. If you are unsure where to start, contact Solna social services for practical help and then arrange a legal consultation to clarify rights and options.
