Powers of Attorney
Plan ahead and protect your future with a properly drafted Power of Attorney
None of us knows when we might become unable to make decisions for ourselves. Without a Power of Attorney in place, your family may have no legal authority to step in and help, even when the need is urgent.
Making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) while you still have capacity is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and the people you care about. Our power of attorney solicitors guide you through the process, from choosing the right attorneys to registering your documents with the Office of the Public Guardian.
About Powers of Attorney
What is a Power of Attorney?
Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf. The person making it is known as the donor and the people appointed to act are known as attorneys.
The most common type is a Lasting Power of Attorney, designed to cover situations where you lose mental capacity. Other types, such as general or ordinary Powers of Attorney, can be used for more specific or temporary purposes.
A Power of Attorney can only be made while you have the mental capacity to understand what you are signing. If you wait until capacity has been lost, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order instead, a longer, more costly process.
What to Expect When Applying for Probate
If you are an adult with property, savings or people who depend on you, a Power of Attorney is worth putting in place. Accidents and unexpected illness can happen at any age.
Without a Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Your family will not be able to access your bank accounts or pay your bills
- Decisions about your medical treatment may be made without the input of the people who know you best
- A lengthy and costly Court of Protection application may be needed before anyone can act on your behalf
- You lose the ability to choose who makes decisions for you
Making an LPA while you are well gives you control over who acts for you and how. It is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself and your family.