About Lasting Powers Of Attorney

There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney now available which replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney. The Enduring Powers of Attorney are still legal and can be used when registered but the Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to be more specific about who and how you want your affairs conducted if you lose capacity or are unable to manage your own affairs for whatever reason.

The Lasting Powers of Attorney are:-

Property and Financial Affairs

• This is specifically to allow your Attorney or Attorneys to deal with your property and finances.

Health and Welfare

• This is specifically to allow your Attorney or Attorneys to make decisions on your behalf regarding your health and welfare if you are unable to do so and whether they can make important decisions about life-sustaining treatment.

It is important to have these documents completed and registered whilst you have the mental capacity to do so. It is then your choice who is to act on your behalf and look after your affairs.

If you do not have an Enduring Power of Attorney or Lasting Powers of Attorney in place and become unable to manage your affairs for whatever reason, then an application may have to be made to the Court of Protection for someone to be appointed as your Deputy to do so. This person may not be a person who you would choose. The procedure can be lengthy and expensive at a time when important decisions need to be made quickly.

If you have a registered Lasting Power of Attorney in place, your Attorney or Attorneys can act on your behalf as soon as there is a change of circumstances when it is required.

If you think that your existing Will, Enduring Power of Attorney or Lasting Power of Attorney needs changing, we will review your situation based on an hourly charging rate to be agreed in advance.