What is Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a document that you can sign to appoint someone else to manage your financial and health decisions should you become mentally incapable of doing so. This legal power allows the person or people appointed by an LPA to make important decisions on behalf of someone who cannot do it themselves; such as whether or not they are taken in for treatment, whether their property is sold, and if they need care in a nursing home.
The importance of having one can be highlighted for people with severe mental illnesses, who often have difficulties making sound judgments in matters relating to their own welfare. When suffering from depression, for example, they may become suicidal.
Or maybe you are feeling unwell and you know that it could affect your decision-making in the future, thats when having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can help. So at least, if something unfortunate was to happen, then, in that case, you would have someone they trust looking after their affairs.
Not everyone needs an LPA but if you do want one, it is very important to choose someone who will make decisions for you in the way that best suits your needs. This person is known as your attorney or appointor. If you have someone in mind already we can advise on the process of getting an LPA in place.
If you become incapable of making your own decisions, a Lasting Power of Attorney could be the difference between having someone you trust to make those major life decisions regarding your health and finances for you or not.
In the UK over 100,000 people have Lasting Powers of Attorney. But many more are needed to ensure that everyone’s wishes are properly respected in the future. A Lasting Power of Attorney is like a safety net – it ensures that someone you trust will act on your behalf if you’re unable to take care of things yourself. You can choose whoever you want: family members, friends or even colleagues at work. The person you appoint does not need to live in the UK in order to be valid, but they do need to understand English and one day may be asked to make important decisions regarding your health or financial matters.
