A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).
You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity (the ability to make your own decisions) when you make your LPA.
There are 2 types of LPA:
- health and welfare
- property and financial affairs
When someone makes a Lasting Power of Attorney (Financial Affairs) it allows the person or persons appointed to assist with financial and property matters, or take over the conduct of them when the ability to manage those matters is lost.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (Welfare) permits the appointment of someone, typically a close relative, to make decisions about someone’s care and welfare if they lose the capacity to make such decisions for themselves.
You can choose to make one type or both.
For further information or to arrange an appointment please contact us on 01795 533337 or email us at law@tassells-solicitors.co.uk