Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows someone who may start to lack the capacity to manage their affairs to appoint an Attorney (someone that they trust). The Attorney can then make decisions in the best interests of that person. Lasting Powers of Attorney must be made while you, or the person who trusts you, still have the mental capacity to make a decision.

The paperwork and overall process can be complex, therefore professional legal advice is beneficial and can save you any added stress on top of what can be a sensitive time in your life. We will not complicate the process with jargon and keep things as easy as possible so that the process runs smoothly. Our team can help you with both types of Lasting Powers of Attorney, Property and Financial Affairs, and Personal Welfare.

Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Powers of Attorney

This allows the appointed Attorney to manage your financial and property assets, as well as making decisions on how your money may be spent.

An Attorney can make the following actions:

• Manage your bank accounts and other financial accounts, including opening or closing accounts.
• Deal with your taxes
• Deal with the buying and selling of investments and property
• Claim, receive and use any welfare benefits you are entitled to on your behalf
• Make gifts on your behalf

Personal Welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney

This allows the appointed Attorney to make decisions about your medical care and daily life. This type of Lasting Powers of Attorney can only be used after it is registered and you no longer have the capacity to decide for yourself.

The Attorney receives the power to make decisions such as:

• Where you will live, and who you will live with
• The people you should have contact with
• Arrangements for community care services
• Managing complaints about your care or treatment
• Dealing with your personal correspondence and papers
• Controlling access to personal information about you
• Decisions over whether you should take part in social or leisure activities, or training and education
• Decisions about your everyday care, including your diet and dress
• Decisions about medical care, including consenting to or refusing examination and treatment. For your protection, there are safeguards in place to ensure that your Attorney can only consent to or refuse life-saving or life-prolonging medical treatment if authorized by your Lasting Power of Attorney.