What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is an important legal document that lets you choose who would make decision on your behalf if you were unable to do so due to a sudden accident, illness, or long-term health issues. There are two different Lasting Powers of Attorney, one covers decisions regarding Health and Welfare and the other Property and Finance.
The person for whom the Lasting Power of Attorney is created is called the donor and the people (or persons) nominated to make decision on behalf of the donor are called attorneys.
How do I decide who to appoint as my attorney(s)?
An attorney can be a relative, friend, spouse or civil partner, your child or even a professional. Ideally, they should be individuals who know you well and most importantly to appoint people who you trust.
It is always useful to have more than one attorney as this allows checks to be put in place and provides reassurance to you and other members of the family. You can specify what decisions you are happy for your attorney(s) to make on your behalf.
You can decide if your attorney(s) must act jointly on all matters or whether they can also act individually (severally).
An LPA ensures that, should you be unable to manage your own affairs, the people you have appointed can manage your financial life on your behalf. This can save a great deal of money and will ensure that as a vulnerable person your affairs will be handled correctly.
Risks of not having an LPA
If you lose mental capacity without an LPA in place, your family must apply to the Court of Protection to have a deputy appointed to deal with everyday financial matters. This is a slow and expensive process. Contact us today for a free no obligation chat: www.ashhillsolicitors.co.uk
Our Power of Attorney solicitors can help and guide you through this process to make sure your forms are correctly and accurately completed.
Author Bio:
Nasreen Akhter is the founding director of Ash Hill Solicitors and an experienced probate solicitor with over 10 years in private client law. She specialises in wills, estate administration, powers of attorney, and inheritance planning. Known for her calm, compassionate approach, she guides clients through sensitive matters with clarity and care.
Nasreen is also a civil and commercial mediator, committed to resolving disputes efficiently and constructively. She is fully accredited and listed on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) register.
Outside of work, she’s a dedicated mum and chairs Happy Orphans Worldwide, a charity supporting vulnerable children across the globe.
