An accident, an illness or simply old age can leave you unable to manage your own affairs, and without the right paperwork in place, your family are left with far fewer options than you might expect.
Our lasting power of attorney solicitors, part of our wider wills and probate team, help you set out those wishes properly, while you are still able to make the decision for yourself. You choose who handles your money and who makes choices about your care, and once it is done, everyone’s mind is at rest.
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you choose who manages your finances and who makes decisions about your medical treatment and care if you are no longer able to. There are two types: a Property and Affairs LPA, which covers your money and possessions, and a Health and Welfare LPA, which covers decisions about your care and medical treatment. You can put one or both in place, depending on what you want covered.
Banks, financial advisors and investment managers will not deal with anyone except you, the account holder. Without an LPA in place, your family would need to apply to the court instead, a process that can take many months and cost considerably more than setting one up in advance. In the meantime, bills can go unpaid and the stress falls on the people you would most want to protect.
There is no downside to arranging an LPA early, and every reason not to leave it too late. Mental capacity does not always disappear suddenly — it can reduce or fade gradually, and a person with a diagnosis of a brain condition can still make decisions with the correct reports in place. But the option to make an LPA is gone once capacity is no longer there, so doing it while you are fit and well means it is already in place if it is ever needed, without anyone having to act in a hurry.
Our LPA solicitors explain what each type of LPA covers in plain English, help you decide who to appoint, and handle the registration paperwork on your behalf, so it does not fall to you at a difficult time.
Setting up a Property and Affairs LPA, a Health and Welfare LPA, or both is straightforward once you know what you need. Contact your nearest Hine Solicitors office or complete our enquiry form to arrange a time to talk it through with Wendy Flawn, Samantha Stafrace, Adam Bragg and Jade Bacon.
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