Powers of Attorney
We all like to feel we are in control of our financial affairs and our faculties, but there may be times when we need help from someone we trust.
With increased life expectancy it is becoming increasingly difficulty for people to continue to manage their own affairs later in life. An LPA is a sensible precaution and can be of vital support to your family.
Individuals who do not have close relatives or anyone who wishes to be appointed as their attorneys may wish to appoint the partners of the firm as attorneys to act on their behalf.
An LPA for finance is a legal document that allows you to choose at least one person you trust (your attorney) to make decisions on your behalf regarding your financial affairs. This LPA will also give your attorney the legal standing to continue to make decisions for you if you should lose your mental capacity in the future.
An LPA for health and welfare allows you to choose at least one person you trust (your attorney) to make decisions about your healthcare and welfare if you are unable to do so. Such decisions include : giving or refusing consent to certain types of healthcare or medical care, deciding where you live, day to day care issues.
You should make an LPA whilst you are still capable of making decisions for yourself. It is particularly important if you have been diagnosed with an illness that may prevent you from making your own decisions in the future.
Lasting Powers of Attorney need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used. In the meantime, it may be possible to make a General Power of Attorney if you need someone to start acting on your behalf without delay. Please contact us if you wish to discuss this further.
Where it is no longer possible to make an LPA, our specialist team would be happy to talk you through the alternative Court of Protection process.
Consulting a solicitor is the best way to ensure that a Lasting Power of Attorney is properly set up and completed according to your wishes and in your best interests. If you simply wish to discuss Lasting Powers of Attorney please do not hesitate to get in touch with your preferred office to arrange a meeting with one of our specialist solicitors in Loughborough, Nottingham, Long Eaton, Bingham or Stapleford during which you can obtain answers to all of your questions.
Wills & Probate Team
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Planning for the future or dealing with the probate process can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Contact us today to arrange a meeting and let us help you find peace of mind.
