Lasting
Powers of Attorney
LPAs are a safety net. They are the only way for you to choose someone you trust to be given the legal authority to look after you and your affairs should it become necessary.
If you were to suffer from dementia, an incapacitating illness, a stroke or simply the decrease in in capability which comes with old age, it will be possible to help you without further delay or costs.
Without an LPA, should it become necessary for someone else to manage your affairs or health care, an application must be made to the Court of Protection, a lengthy and expensive business.
Two types of LPA are needed to provide full cover, one for property and finance the other for health and welfare. Your property and finance LPA allows the attorney(s) to access all bank accounts immediately, to continue to manage bills and mortgage payments and generally to manage your property and financial affairs. A separate health and welfare LPA enables the attorneys to make health choices for you, from resuscitation to the type of care you receive.
How I can help
Although LPAs are available free from the Office of the Public Guardian, they are complicated (they come with 48 pages of guidance notes). I can guide you through the forms, listen to your wishes and prepare the forms accordingly.