Lasting Powers of Attorney
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document. It allows you to choose someone now that you trust to make decisions on your behalf about things such as property and financial affairs or health and welfare at a time in the future when you no longer wish to make those decisions or at a time when you may lack the mental capacity to make those decisions youself.
A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be used after it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian in London.
Who can make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Anyone aged eighteen or over, with the capacity to do so, can make a Lasting Power of Attorney appointing one or more attorney to make decisions on their behalf.
It is not possible to make a Lasting Power of Attorney jointly with another person. Each person must make his or her own Lasting Power of Attorney.
Types of Lasting Powers of Attorney
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney
- A Personal Welfore Lasting Power of Attorney
- A Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney
The Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney
A Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to plan ahead by choosing one or more people to make decisions on your behalf regarding your property and financial affairs.
You can decide to give your attorney/attorneys the power to make decisions about any or all of your property and financial afairs. This could include paying your bills, collecting your benefits or selling your house.