Types of Power of Attorney
If an accident, illness or mental capacity prevents you from looking after your own affairs, who else will be able to manage them?
There are two forms of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA):-
- Property & Financial Affairs – this appoints one or more chosen persons as your attorney, so they can manage your financial and legal affairs in the same way that you would. It covers your home, your property and money in the bank and investments.
- Health and Welfare – this allows you to choose one or more people to make decisions such as for medical treatment and welfare including your care and where you will live if you need additional care.
Even if you have a Will, you still need an LPA. A will only comes into effect upon death. Whereas an LPA operates while you are alive and appoints attorneys to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime.
Why make one at all?
It is protection and peace of mind for you and your family if one day you were to find it difficult or impossible to manage your day-to-day affairs.
Illness or injury could make you incapable of leaving your home or mentally unfit to pay bills and other commitments, or to make medical or ongoing care decisions.
If you make an LPA, you can choose people you trust to act on your behalf and how they should manage your finances and welfare.
If you do not have a power of attorney in place even your spouse and family will not have the power to act or make decisions for you. This is a common misconception.
You can add instructions or preferences in the LPA on how you want your attorneys to act, for example that you would prefer to receive care at home rather than in a care home, or that you would not want your house to be sold.
It is far less expensive and quicker than the Court of Protection.
Why use a Solicitor?
Every adult has the right to manage his or her own money and affairs. Sometimes, however, our ability to do this decreases. Whether this is caused by illness, disability, or an accident, there are a number of practical steps we can take to help you prepare for this.
If this describes your situation, or that of someone close to you, you should consider getting legal advice. As solicitors, we can help by encouraging you to get your affairs in order and make your wishes for the future known.
Making an LPA hands your future decision-making over to someone else, so it is crucial to get this right. We can assist you with guidance including who could be a suitable attorney, how you can clearly express your wishes, advice on specific wording and ensuring the LPA is valid.
For peace of mind do not leave it any longer.
A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be made while you still have capacity. Hopefully it will never need to be used, but it acts as insurance for your family if it does.
Loss of mental capacity does not only happen to the very elderly. As well as dementia, this can happen through strokes, illnesses or accidents at any time. It is often these unexpected accidents or illnesses that cause the most difficulties for your family.
Do not leave making an LPA until it is needed as it will be too late by then.
One of our team will be happy to answer your queries and arrange an appointment.
We offer peace of mind and value for money.
We offer a fixed fee for the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Our prices including VAT are:
- LPA single property or health £420
- LPA single property & health £720
- LPA mirror property or health £720
- LPA mirror property & health £1200
- Plus Registration Fee – £82 each
Please contact us for an appointment and/or more details.
AK Solicitors
Telephone: 01268 240400
Email: officemail@anthonyking.co.uk