Lasting Power of Attorney
Without Lasting Powers of Attorney it can be difficult for your friends and family to help you if you
lose mental capacity (for example) due to accident or illness and can sometimes result in social
services trying to take taking control of your affairs sometimes against the wishes of your friends
and family.
A lasting power of attorney is a document whereby you can give someone legal authority to look
after you and make important decisions for you if for example you suffer an accident or an illness or
for some reason cant deal with matters yourself. Unlike some general powers of attorney a Lasting
Power of Attorney continues even if you lose mental capacity.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Health and Welfare:
(this enables your attorney to make decisions regarding matters such as
medical care, whether you are cared for at home or moved to a nursing home, your daily
routine and life sustaining treatment
- Property and Financial Affairs :
(this enables your attorney to make decisions about your
financial matters including paying bills on your behalf, selling your home, operating your
bank account).
You can give your attorneys general authority to deal with your affairs or if you wish you can place
limitations on what they are able to do for you. Your attorney is under an obligation to act in your
best interests.
You can appoint one or more attorneys to act on your behalf. Your choice of attorney is an important
decision and should be someone that you can trust.
You must have mental capacity in order to make a Lasting Power of Attorney. If you have already lost
mental capacity then it may be possible for the person wishing to look after you to apply to the Court
of protection to be appointed as your deputy (please telephone for details) however this process is
more complicated and involves significantly more cost that with Lasting Powers of Attorney.
We can help you prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney for a fixed fee. We are happy to visit you at
home if required.
Dont take the risk. Have your Lasting Power of Attorney prepared by a qualified solicitor you can
trust and meet face to face.
For further enquiries and a fixed fee quotation please contact David Tagg on Tel: 020 7736 0999