A Lasting Power of Attorney ("LPA") is a legal document which allows you to appoint one or more individuals ("Attorneys") to deal with your affairs and make decisions on your behalf should you become unable to do so yourself.
Enduring Power of Attorney
Introduced in October 2007, a Lasting Power of Attorney has now taken over from the Enduring Power of Attorney.
Is my Enduring Power of Attorney still valid?
If you have an Enduring Power of Attorney that was made before October 2007 it will still be a valid legal document.
I have made a will, why do I also need to make an LPA?
We all know the importance of making a will but what about if you became unable to manage your affairs yourself, whilst you are still alive? For example if you were suddenly taken ill and left physically or mentally incapacitated, your family would not automatically have the legal authority to deal with your affairs, such as your investments, banks accounts, your house or even your business.
If this were to happen and there was no LPA in place, an application must be made to the Court of Protection to appoint a "Deputy" to manage your affairs. This process is costly and can take many months.
By making an LPA now, whilst you are fit and able, not only can you choose who should deal with your affairs (rather than the Court deciding) but it means that, should the worst happen, the LPA is in place and ready for use.
Types of LPA
There are two types of LPA:
1. Property & Financial Affairs LPA
This gives your Attorney(s) the right to make decisions concerning your financial affairs and assets, including:
- Your house
- Your savings
- Your investments
- Any business interests you may have
It will give your Attorneys wide powers including the ability to:
- Manage your bank accounts
- Buy or sell property on your behalf
- Deal with your investments
- Receive income or inheritances due to you
2. Health & Welfare LPA
This LPA can only be used after you have lost mental capacity to make decisions regarding your personal welfare. This allows your Attorney(s) to make relevant personal welfare decisions, when required, on your behalf, such as:
- Deciding where you should live
- Day to day care
- Giving consent to or arranging medical treatment
What is required to make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Both types of LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian ("OPG") before they can be used.
There must also be a "certificate provider" who is an independent person who certifies that at the time of making the LPA, you understand its scope and implications and that you are not being pressurised into making it.
What type of LPA should I make & who should I choose as my Attorney?
Whatever your age or circumstances, you should consider making one or both types of LPA. Your chosen Attorney(s) could be:
- Your spouse;
- Other family members;
- A close friend;
- A professional;
but most importantly should be someone who,
- You trust;
- Has the necessary skills to make decisions on your behalf;
- Will act in your best interests.
Both types of LPA give wide powers to your Attorney(s) and professional advice should be taken in making them.
For further information, please see our publication "What is a Lasting Power of Attorney"
General Power of Attorney
A General Power of Attorney is a legal document where a person can give one or more people the authority to help you manage your financial and property affairs.
The document is very flexible and can be restricted to allow your attorneys to deal with a specific matter on your behalf for example, a house sale/purchase or can be limited for a specific time period.
A General Power of Attorney does not need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used, unlike Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPAs’). However, it can only be used by your attorneys while you have mental capacity at the point of a transaction to make your own decisions when dealing with specific financial or property decisions.
Therefore, this type of Attorneyship can be particularly useful as an interim document whilst you are preparing LPAs and awaiting their registration with the Office of the Public Guardian. When your LPAs are registered and are available to be used, the General Power of Attorney will be revoked.
If you would like more information about General Powers of Attorney or if you wish to speak to one of our specialists and arrange an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us on 08081668860.
Our specialist lawyers can advise on and prepare Power of Attorney documents for you. Contact us for more information.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
