Lasting Power of Attorney
Ensure Your Wishes are Honoured with a Lasting Power of Attorney
Take control of your future NOW for when you are not able to, with a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is important to have because it allows you to choose who you want to make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity in the future. This can be due to illness, an accident, or simply old age.
Without an LPA, your loved ones may not have the legal authority to make decisions for you, and important matters such as your finances, health, and welfare could be left in the hands of the court. By creating an LPA, you can ensure that your wishes are respected and your affairs are managed by someone you trust.
The types of Lasting Power of Attorney
Property & Finance LPA
Allows your attorney to make decisions about paying bills, dealing with banks and investments, arranging and collecting benefits and selling property on behalf of the donor.
Health & Welfare LPA
Allow your attorney to make decisions about your healthcare, consent to medical treatment and accommodation. Your Attorneys can only use it if you cannot make your own decisions.
What happens if I don't have a lasting power of attorney?
Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), decisions about your health and welfare or your finances could be taken out of your hands and placed into the hands of the Court of Protection. This can be a complicated and expensive process and may result in outcomes that do not reflect your wishes.
With no LPA in place, the Court of Protection will decide who looks after your affairs. This is probably not the person you would have chosen, and you lose all control. A deputyship order can take a long time to obtain, between 3 to 10 months depending on the complexity of the case.
It is not uncommon for solicitor and admin fees to add up during this period, leaving your family with an unwanted bill at the end of a difficult process.
By taking the time to create an LPA, you can ensure that your wishes are respected and your loved ones are able to act in your best interests if you are unable to do so. It provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones and can save them from having to navigate a complex and challenging legal process during a difficult time.
What our customers say...
Lasting Power of AttourneyFAQ
An LPA replaced the EPA in October 2007. While an EPA created before that date remains valid, LPAs offer broader powers, including decisions about health and welfare. EPAs only cover property and financial affairs.
Yes, you can make changes to an LPA after it’s registered, but only if you still have mental capacity. You’ll need to use a special form to make amendments, and all parties involved must be notified.
Yes, you can appoint multiple attorneys in an LPA. You can choose to appoint them to act together (jointly), separately (severally), or jointly and severally, depending on your preferences.
If one of your appointed attorneys dies or becomes unable to act, the LPA remains valid as long as you have other attorneys still able to carry out their duties. You can also appoint replacement attorneys in your LPA to prepare for such situations.
Yes, your appointed attorney(s) can make decisions about your healthcare, including medical treatment and care, if you become unable to make those decisions yourself. This is covered under the LPA for Health and Welfare.
If you lose mental capacity and haven’t created an LPA, it will be too late. Your loved ones may have to apply for a Deputyship Order through the Court of Protection, which can be a complex and costly process. It’s essential to plan ahead and create an LPA while you still have mental capacity.