A power of attorney is an important, and powerful, legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions concerning your property and financial affairs, and/or your health and welfare, should there come a time when you lack the capacity to do so.
A lot of people think that power of attorney is only relevant to the elderly, who may lose capacity through dementia or old age.
However, capacity can be lost for various reasons, such as through an illness or because of an accident, and at any stage of your life. Mental health issues may also mean individuals lose capacity to make certain decisions for themselves on either a short-term or permanent basis.
If you lose capacity without having made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), your loved ones will not automatically be able to make decisions about your health and welfare on your behalf, or access your finances, even if it is to pay for your care.
Instead, they would have to apply to court to act as your deputy, which can be a long, stressful and expensive process.
Every UK adult should make a power of attorney. While they may not need to use it immediately or might even not ever need to use it at all, an LPA acts as a valuable form of insurance policy to safeguard against unforeseen events.
Find out more here.
Benefits of Power of Attorney
A power of attorney:
- Protects you from unpredictable events.
- Gives you control over your decision making.
- Helps to avoid problems at a later stage.
- Means you avoid unnecessary future court proceedings.
- Provides valuable peace of mind for you and your family.
How do I make a power of attorney?
To make a Lasting Power of Attorney, you need to choose your attorney(s), fill in various forms, and register your application with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
The forms can be complicated, and it is easy to make mistakes. Figures show that more than 50,000 LPA applications were rejected in 2023/2024, with errors including using the wrong forms, signing them in the wrong order, incorrect or ineligible witnesses, and missing or illegible information.
A solicitor can help by ensuring your application is completed properly and accurately reflects your wishes.
Power of Attorney Solicitors Near Me
For specialist advice about making a Lasting Power of Attorney, please get in touch with our team today.
Our friendly and accessible team of Power of Attorney solicitors can guide you through the entire process, including registration with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Call our team today on 0330 175 5655 or email info@bglaw.co.uk and let us help you protect your future.
