When planning for the future, many people think about writing a Will, but there is another crucial document that often goes unnoticed: a Lasting Power of Attorney. An LPA lets you appoint one or more people, your attorneys, to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity, ensuring your affairs are managed by someone you trust.
The two types
A Health and Welfare LPA covers decisions about your health and personal welfare, including living arrangements and medical treatment. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers your finances and property, including paying bills and managing bank accounts.
Is it worth getting an LPA?
- Protect your interests — your finances and welfare are managed by someone you trust, and your wishes are carried out
- Prevent family disputes — without an LPA, your family may need a Court of Protection application, which is lengthy, expensive and a common source of conflict
- Reassurance — knowing your affairs are in order if you ever lose capacity
- Flexibility — an LPA can be tailored to your needs, covering finances, welfare, or both
- Cost-effective — far cheaper than the cost of a Court of Protection application later
How to set one up
- Choose your attorneys — one or more trusted people to act on your behalf
- Consult a professional to ensure every part of the form is completed correctly
- Sign and witness it — by you, your attorneys, and a witness, in the correct order
- Register it with the Office of the Public Guardian, before it can be used
Why not to delay
An LPA is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your personal and financial affairs are handled by someone you trust if you can no longer manage them yourself. It prevents family disputes, offers flexibility, and is cost-effective in the long run. These are very personal documents and can be complex, so advice tailored to your circumstances is genuinely valuable. Do not leave it too late.
To find out how we can help with these important documents, see our Lasting Power of Attorney page, or get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat. We help families across North Somerset, Bristol and Bath.