A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf. This is often useful in cases of accidents, illnesses or occasions where you are unable to make decisions at the time they need to be made. You must have the mental capacity in order to create an LPA so it’s a crucial step to plan ahead for.
There are two types of LPA. One for your property and finances and the second for your health and welfare.
The property and financial affairs LPA includes your bills, collecting your pension or benefits and allows for the management of your bank accounts. It also transfers the ability to sell your home if necessary, all to someone you appoint and trust.
The health and welfare LPA refers to making important choices that concern your medical affairs such as life-sustaining treatments and care. It also includes the choices made surrounding your daily routine and where you should live if you require care or assistance.
Why do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
The main reason for setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney, is so that you can retain control over your life and have your loved ones make decisions for you, when you are deemed to have lost ‘mental capacity.’ One of the most common causes for this can be illnesses such as Alzheimer's or dementia. If you are diagnosed with these illnesses they can cause you to become less able to make important decisions, so it essential to have someone who can act on your behalf.
Who can be an Attorney?
It is your choice who you appoint as your attorney but it should be someone that you trust and has your best interests at heart. This can be a member of your family or a friend and you can appoint more than one person. It is important they understand your wishes and accept the responsibility for you should the LPA take effect.
Having a Lasting Power of Attorney gives you the reassurance that if the worst should happen, it is not a stranger that makes important decisions on your behalf, but someone that you know and trust.
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Having completed both my Will and Lasting Power of Attorney recently I can only say a big thank you to Gordon and the team for making it such a hassle-free process. Everything was done exactly as I wanted and in the smoothest way possible and everyone was friendly but also professional from the beginning. I would not hesitate to recommend their service to others and would also use it again for myself, should the need arise.