A lasting power of attorney allows a person to name another person to make important decisions on his or her behalf. The solicitors at SCL Wills and Probate can answer your specific questions about a lasting power of attorney and assist you in applying for power of attorney in London.
Whether you need help applying for a power of attorney in London, making changes to an existing Lasting Power of Attorney, or ending your LPA, you may want to have a solicitor assist you in the process to ensure the necessary steps are taken to accomplish your goals. You can learn more about the services offered by SCL Wills and Probate at http://www.sclwillsandprobate.co.uk/.
Making a Lasting Power of Attorney
Creating a lasting power of attorney gives you control over what will happen if you are unable to make decisions in the future, as a result of accident, illness, or injury. There are two types of LPA: one for health and welfare and another for handling property and financial affairs. You may decide to have one or both of these in place to prepare for any possible future needs.
As the name implies, a health and welfare lasting power of attorney allows you to name someone who will make decisions regarding your health and welfare in the future, if you are unable to make your own decisions. This may include decisions about medical care, routine daily care, and life sustaining medical treatment, or determining when it is time for you to move into a care home.
A property and financial affairs lasting power of attorney gives an individual the power to make decisions regarding your property and money. This includes collecting a pension or benefits, managing bank accounts, paying bills, and selling your home or other property.
In order to make a lasting power of attorney, the first step is to decide who will have this power. If you are planning to make both a health and welfare and a property and financial affairs LPA, you can appoint the same attorneys for both or choose different people for each type of LPA. You will then need to fill out the forms to appoint the LPA and register it with the Office of Public Guardian.
Changing or Ending the LPA
It is possible to make changes to the LPA, as long as you have the mental capacity to make these decisions. There are many reasons for changing or ending a power of attorney in the UK. If you want to remove one of your attorneys or replace the person you originally named with another individual, this can be done with a partial deed of revocation. This may become necessary if the person’s details change, the originally named individual dies, or you do not believe they are fulfilling their responsibilities properly.
When creating a lasting power of attorney for health and welfare, property and financial affairs, or both types of LPA, it is important to select the right people to make decisions on your behalf. A solicitor can guide you through the process and offer valuable advice to help you prepare for any possible future.