A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA as it’s commonly known, is an important document which allows you to appoint people you trust (called Attorneys) to have legal authority to make decisions on your behalf.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is not just for the ill or the elderly, it is an important document that can assist you and your family irrespective of your age or circumstances.
Types of Lasting Power of Attorney
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney available through The Co-operative Legal Services;
- Health and welfare LPA
A Health and Welfare LPA allows your Attorneys to make decisions regarding your personal welfare and any medical treatments you may need.
Without a Health and Welfare LPA, you have no control over who dictates the type of care and treatment you will receive should you require medical care when you lack the capability to make those decisions yourself.
- Property and financial affairs LPA
A Lasting Power of Attorney for your property and finances can be drawn up for a number of reasons. For example you may be leaving the country for some time and want someone to pay bills for you, or you may simply need some assistance in managing your affairs or for reasons of physical or mental illness you may eventually be incapable of dealing with financial matters.
Without a Property and Financial Affairs LPA your family and loved ones will find it very difficult, if not impossible, to manage your affairs for you effectively as they will not have legal authority to do so.
Will my Lasting Power of Attorney be effective once it’s been completed?
To be legally binding an LPA has to be properly registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
It’s not enough just to write up an informal agreement between you and another party Your Lasting Power of Attorney has to be lodged with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. When registering your LPA, you can choose whether you want it to be effective immediately or at some point in the future.
Choosing your Attorney
When choosing who you want to grant Power of Attorney to, you’ll need to make sure the individual or individuals you choose understand the responsibilities that come with the role and are able to carry these out.
Choosing someone to look after your welfare or financial affairs is a huge decision.
The Co-operative Legal Service can offer you help and advice on choosing your attorneys and on how you can convey your wishes regarding the manner in which you want your affairs to be dealt with.
They provide a professional fixed priced Lasting Power of Attorney drafting service, offering you peace of mind that the right plans are in place for the future.
Author Bio: The Co-operative Legal Services provide free advice on setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney on their website.
Contact:
Dave Smith
PR Manager Corporate
0845 602 1416
Manchester
United Kingdom
dave.smith@co-operative.coop