POWERS OF ATTORNEY

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which gives someone else the power to manage your financial affairs when it becomes difficult for you to do so yourself, usually due to mental or physical disability. A separate LPA can also be made to give your attorney the right to make decisions concerning your personal welfare, including medical treatment, if at some time in the future you are unable to decide those matters for yourself.

A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be used by your appointed attorney once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, who will ensure that your attorney is aware of their duty to always act in your best interests. We are very experienced in the preparation and registration of these documents and will ensure that any particular concerns you have in relation to  your assets and affairs are adequately safeguarded.

 The Lasting Power of Attorney replaced the Enduring Power of Attorney as a result of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which came fully into force in October 2007. However, any Enduring Powers of Attorney set up prior to October 2007 can still be relied upon in the future, although they can no longer be prepared.
 
Where it has unfortunately not been possible to execute a Lasting Power of Attorney whilst your loved one has the mental capacity to do so, we can assist in your application to the Court of Protection to be appointed as their Deputy which would confer similar, albeit far more restrictive, powers to you.

If you would like more information on Lasting Powers of Attorney, applications to the Court of Protection or registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney please do get in touch and we shall be happy to assist.