POWERS OF ATTORNEY                                            

​A Lasting Power of Attorney, often called an LPA, is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if you need help in the future or if you lose mental capacity.

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There are two main types of LPA:

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• Property and Financial Affairs LPA — this can allow your attorney to deal with matters such as bank accounts, bills, pensions, investments and property.

• Health and Welfare LPA — this can allow your attorney to make decisions about matters such as care, medical treatment and where you live, but only if you are unable to make those decisions yourself.

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An LPA must be made while you have mental capacity and must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

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Preparing an LPA can help ensure that, if decisions need to be made on your behalf, they are made by people you have chosen rather than by someone appointed later.

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Our team can assist with:

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• explaining the different types of LPA;

• advising on who may be suitable to act as your attorney;

• explaining when an LPA can be used;

• explaining the legal effect of the choices you make;

• preparing and registering the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian;

• advising on how LPAs work in practice; and

• considering any interaction between a Health and Welfare LPA and an advance decision, sometimes called a “living will”.

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If someone has already lost mental capacity and has not made an LPA, it may be necessary to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputy to be appointed.

 

We can advise on Court of Protection applications where required; we also offer a consultation for £60 including VAT

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Please contact us to discuss making or updating a Lasting Power of Attorney.