# Life Expectancy Reports for Courts & Deputies | Kerry Slater Source: https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/reports/ Content updated: 2026-10-20 [Home](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/) / Life expectancy reports Life expectancy reports # The right evidence. For the decision ahead. Independent life expectancy opinion for legal proceedings, Court of Protection matters and professional planning. The questions in the instruction determine the scope of the report. [Discuss your requirements→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/instruct/) [How reports are prepared→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/methodology/) ## What is a life expectancy report? A life expectancy report is an independent expert opinion on a person’s likely remaining lifespan. It brings together individual medical and care evidence, relevant population data and published research, and explains the reasoning, assumptions and uncertainty behind the conclusion. [Court of Protection & statutory wills](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/reports/#court-of-protection) [Litigation](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/reports/#litigation) [Deputyship & planning](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/reports/#deputyship) [Complex evidence](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/reports/#complex-evidence) 01 ## Court of Protection & statutory wills. Statutory will applications Court of Protection Where life expectancy is relevant to a statutory will application or another Court of Protection decision, a report can help explain the evidence about likely remaining lifespan. The instruction should identify the specific questions and any court directions. Medical and care information, functional evidence and relevant research are considered together, with the limitations of the available material made clear. A life expectancy report addresses longevity. Any separate questions about mental capacity, legal entitlement or the merits of an application need their own appropriate assessment or advice. [Discuss a Court of Protection matter→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/instruct/) 02 ## Litigation & future loss. Personal injury Clinical negligence Probate disputes Life expectancy may be a material issue in personal injury, clinical negligence, contested probate and inheritance disputes. An expert opinion should be responsive to the question in the case and supported by an identifiable chain of reasoning. Kerry’s report draws together relevant individual records and literature to explain the basis for the life expectancy opinion. For civil proceedings, the requirements of CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35 are considered where they apply. Suitability for the particular instruction is considered at the outset. Where an issue requires expertise outside the agreed scope, that should be identified rather than assumed. [Discuss a litigation instruction→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/instruct/) 03 ## Deputyship & financial planning. Care expenditure Long-term planning Professional deputies Deputies, attorneys and professional advisers may need a considered view of life expectancy when planning care expenditure, managing funds or reviewing long-term arrangements. The report provides evidence that can inform that wider decision-making. It explains the basis of the opinion and the uncertainty that should be taken into account when planning over time. It is a specialist contribution to the wider picture. Financial recommendations, care cost projections and legal advice remain matters for the relevant professionals. [Discuss a planning report→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/instruct/) 04 ## Complex medical & care evidence. Frailty Dementia Neurological conditions Care dependency Many instructions involve a combination of conditions, functional difficulties and care needs. The challenge is to understand their combined relevance without treating any single label as a complete account of the person. Relevant evidence may include mobility, nutrition, swallowing, infection history, cognition, frailty and the extent of support required. Stabilising factors and evidence of improvement are considered alongside evidence of deterioration. The report explains which factors have influenced the conclusion and where missing, inconsistent or outdated records limit the confidence that can be placed in it. [Read about the methodology→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/methodology/) The report ## A conclusion you can follow. The format is agreed for the purpose of the instruction. A clear report connects its opinion to the underlying evidence. - The questions addressed and the material considered - Relevant individual circumstances and source evidence - The population data and literature informing the analysis - The reasoning behind the life expectancy opinion - Assumptions, uncertainty and limitations - The applicable expert declarations for the proceedings Further information [Kerry’s qualifications and experience → ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/about/) [Life expectancy report methodology → ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/methodology/) [Instruction checklist → ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/instruct/#checklist) Profile & sources ## About this information Professional profile of [Kerry Slater](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/about/) . Website updated 20 October 2026 . For a current CV or a correction to this profile, [contact Nellie Supports](mailto:nellie@nelliesupports.com?subject=Kerry%20Slater%20profile%20enquiry) . Please include the relevant page when suggesting a correction. ### Professional references - [CPR Part 35 — experts and assessors](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part35) - [Practice Direction 35 — expert evidence](https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/civil/rules/part35/pd_part35) Further reading on professional background, research and practice. The next step ## Let’s start with the question that matters. Tell the Nellie Supports team what you need to establish. Suitability, scope, fees and timing can then be discussed for your instruction. [Discuss an instruction→ ](https://www.kerryslater.co.uk/instruct/)