What is an LPA?

Lasting Powers of Attorney: planning for the unexpected

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that grants authority to someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if, at some point in the future, you are unable to make them yourself.

That could be because of an accident, illness, loss of mental capacity, or simply because you need help managing certain aspects of your life.

An important point many people don’t realise is that an LPA needs to be put in place while you still have the mental capacity to make your own decisions. It isn’t something your family can simply arrange for you when you become unable to manage your affairs.

There are two different types of LPA, covering two very different areas of your life:

Property & Finance LPA

This allows your chosen attorneys to help manage things such as your:

Bank, building society or other financial accounts

Investments

Bills

Tax

Debt

Buying and selling property

Health & Welfare LPA

This relates to decisions such as your:

Personal welfare

Living arrangements

Your day-to-day care

Healthcare and medical treatment

The word “lasting” is important. Once correctly registered, an LPA continues to operate during your lifetime unless it is revoked or otherwise comes to an end under the relevant rules.

Ultimately, an LPA is about choice and control. You decide who you trust to step in and help, rather than leaving your loved ones facing uncertainty if you can no longer make those decisions yourself.

Putting an LPA in place isn’t expecting something bad to happen. It’s making sure you’re prepared if it does.

For a Lasting Power of Attorney to be valid, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, the Government department charged with helping people stay in control of decisions about their health and finance. Until such time as it has been registered, an LPA cannot be used.

Don’t leave it until you lose the capacity to act for yourself: contact us now for professional advice and guidance regarding your Lasting Powers of Attorney.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Estate planning can be confusing. Let's clarify some things for you.