Powers of Attorney

What is a lasting power of attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney gives a named person(s) power to act on your behalf should your physical or mental health deteriorate.

Types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

There are two different types of Lasting Power of Attorney:

• Health & Welfare
• Property & Financial Affairs

You can choose one or both.

Health & Welfare LPA

You can use this LPA to give an attorney the power to make decisions about things like:

• Your daily routine. For example, washing, dressing, and eating
• Medical care
• Moving into a care home
• Life-sustaining treatment

This can only be used when you’re unable to make your own decisions.

Property & Financial Affairs

You can use this LPA to give an attorney the power to make decisions about money and property for you, for example:

• Moving into a care home
• Life-sustaining treatment
• Managing a bank or building society account
• Paying bills
• Collecting benefits or a pension
• Selling your home

This can be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission.

Registering your Lasting Power of Attorney

You can make an LPA at any time, provided you are mentally and physically able to make your own decisions.

The registration process can be lengthy, so we recommend making your LPA well in advance of when you might need it.

Before we can register your LPA, we must notify ‘named’ persons and give them the opportunity to object. We must also include a certificate to verify that you understand the contents of the LPA and how it operates, and that you are not under pressure to make it.

Next steps

Talk to our expert solicitors and find out how we can help.