Lasting Power of Attorney
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There may come a time when, because you are incapable of managing your property and financial affairs or personal welfare, you will need someone to do this for you. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint a friend, relative or professional as an 'attorney' to make decisions on your behalf.
The Lasting Power of Attorney has replaced the previous legal document known as an Enduring Power of Attorney, and can be drawn up at any time while you have capacity but it has no legal standing until it is registered with The Office of the Public Guardian. A registered Lasting Power of Attorney can be used at any time, whether you have the mental ability to act for yourself or not.
- Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney
A Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to choose someone to make decisions about how to spend your money and the way your property and affairs are managed. - Personal Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney
A Personal Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to choose someone to make decisions about your healthcare and welfare. This includes decisions to refuse or consent to treatment on your behalf and deciding where you live. These decisions can only be taken on your behalf when the LPA is registered and you lack the capacity to make the decisions yourself.
You may not be able to check up on the attorney yourself if you become incapable, so it may be a good idea to appoint more than one person to help prevent abuse of the responsibility. Choose people you can trust to act in your best interests. You should consider how well they look after their own financial affairs and whether you can trust them to use your money to meet your needs.