Lasting Powers of Attorney
What We Offer
Lasting Powers of Attorney
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): one relating to health and welfare, and the other relating to finance and property.
The purpose of setting up and registering an LPA is to ensure that if you become unable to take decisions on your own behalf, for example due to illness or injury, a nominated person or persons step in and become the people who take those decisions on your behalf.
Clearly for important matters such as these you want to have someone you trust in the position of responsibility.
If you have not made such provisions and the worst happens, applying for a Deputyship of Order through the Court of Protection, is a lengthy and costly process.
Once created, the LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, at a small additional charge. You can choose to do this immediately, which means you can then forget all about it knowing the full process has been completed, or you can choose to create the LPA but not register it until such time as it’s needed.
Either way the LPA can only be utilised once the donor (that’s the person who becomes unable to make decisions) has lost the ability to express their wishes or to manage their affairs. When this happens the attorneys (the people nominated to make decisions in the donor’s place) can begin looking after the donor’s financial affairs or their health and welfare decisions, depending on which LPA has been set up (or both).
We can help you decide who should be your attorneys, work through and complete the paperwork with you, and register the LPA on your behalf.
We advise on all cases of Lasting Power of Attorney including liaising with The Office of the Public Guardian.
TESTIMONIAL
Very professional, very helpful and explained everything so well! Nothing was to much trouble and nothing was ever forced pleasure to have gone with Protego for mine and my wife’s Wills.
Rhys Taylor.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal appointment made to help make decisions of importance either in consultation with you or on your behalf should you not be of sound mind or physically impaired.
LPAs allow you to retain control over your affairs should you ever be unable to do so yourself. This is common with those in later life, but anyone over 18 and of regular mental capacity can appoint LPAs. Accidents and illnesses can occur instantly, rendering the importance of having LPAs appointed well in advance of later life, especially if a large estate is owned.
Yes. You can make multiple appointments to help you make decisions.
Yes, there are two types of LPAs. Health and welfare is one type with the other being property and financial affairs. You can choose to appoint one type of LPA or both if required.
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is an executive agency associated with the Ministry of Justice with jurisdiction over the legal framework of England and Wales. The OPG oversees the process LPAs and helps those making decisions regarding their estate, especially those who are unable to do so. The OPG ensures LPAs are held to account and act in a legal and proper manner regarding the administration of your affairs.
According to the latest guidelines from the Government, it costs £82 to appoint an LPA unless you get a reduction or exemption. You can cancel your LPA if you decide to and appoint new ones as you see fit.
Speak to a professional who can guide you through the process. Appointing one or more LPAs may be beneficial but there might be implications you have not fully considered. It is advisable that you speak with an adviser before approaching close relatives or friends to become an LPA.
