A Lasting Power of Attorney is a written document that allows someone else to make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity or become incapable to look after yourself. Having a Lasting Power of Attorney lets you decide what kind of decisions are made on your behalf in these circumstances.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:Property & Financial Affairs lasting power of attorney – This gives your attorney the authority to deal with buying and selling your property, paying your bills, managing your banks accounts and investments. This type of LPA can be used while a person is still capable of handling their own affairs, but has chosen to delegate these tasks to their attorney.Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney – This type of LPA covers decisions about your health, medical care and where you live. It can only be used if that person is incapable of dealing with such matters themselves.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is not valid until it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), who will check to be sure that everything is correct and raise any queries.
Remember, the role of an attorney involves a great deal of power and responsibility, so it is important that you trust the people you choose. Think carefully about whether there is someone who you believe would be able to carry out this role and make decisions in your best interests. Give the person time to think about whether they wish to accept the role of being an attorney, to make sure that they are making the right decision. Your attorney could be a family member, a friend, your spouse, partner or civil partner. Alternatively, they could be a professional, such as a solicitor.
Lasting Power of attorney
