Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

A lasting power of attorney (or LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people known as attorneys, to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.

There are two types of LPA: one that deals with your health and welfare, and one which deals with your property and financial affairs. You can choose to make one type, or both.

Here are our top 5 reasons to make an LPA:

1. It allows you to decide who should deal with your affairs if you are unable to, which can prevent disputes arising between loved ones if you lose capacity and are unable to make such decisions for yourself.
2. You can give instructions and guidance to your attorneys to assist them in carrying out their duties in the role.
3. There is no limit to the number of people you can appoint which means that you can make provision for who should act for you if your first appointed attorneys are no longer able or willing to act
4. It is quicker, cheaper and less intrusive to make an LPA while you have capacity than it is for a loved one to make a Deputyship Order on your behalf after you have lost capacity. The court will not intervene in your choice of attorney but may not consider an applicant unsuitable to act as your Deputy.
5. You can revoke your LPA at any time while you have capacity if you change your mind about your appointed attorneys

Would you like to decide who should be responsible for managing your affairs while you are alive, should you reach a point where you are no longer able to manage them yourself? Contact our Wills & Probate Solicitor, Patrice Lawrence.