Power Of Attorney
Who needs a Lasting Power of Attorney?
In the event of you becoming either mentally or physically incapable of managing your own affairs, you can appoint
one or more people (usually family members) to be an Attorney to take care of your affairs on your behalf. A Lasting
Power of Attorney can either be in respect of property and financial affairs or health and welfare.
What are the benefits of a Lasting Power of Attorney?
- It puts you in control
- You can plan ahead
- You can decide how much authority you give to the Attorney
- You can decide whether to impose any restrictions on the Attorney
- You will have the reassurance that someone you trust will make decisions for your benefit
- It will reduce future problems and expense if a Deputy has to be appointed
- It can prompt discussions with your family about your future wishes
Knowing you'll be looked after
Sadly many of us may reach a point when we are no longer mentally capable of looking after our affairs. As well as dementia,
injury or illness may affect our ability to look after our welfare or finances.
Protecting your interests
You can appoint up to 5 people you trust as 'attorneys' to look after your affairs. Attorneys are bound by law to protect
your interests, using your assets for your benefit alone. They must always act in your best interests and follow any
instructions you give them about making decisions.
LPAs should normally be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they become effective. After signing a
lasting power of attorney, you still have absolute control of the decisions that affect you and your life until the
document is registered.
Court of Protection applications
The Court of Protection is responsible for making decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions
at the time they need to be made (they ‘lack mental capacity’). If a person lacks capacity and does not have an LPA in place we
can help by applying to appoint a deputy at the Court of Protection.