Lasting Powers of Attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint someone who you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you ever become unable to make the decision yourself.

Putting an LPA in place ensures that your affairs are managed by those who you choose - not left to chance.

There are two categories of LPAs:

Property & Financial Affairs LPA

A Property & Financial Affairs LPA covers decisions about your money and property.

Your appointed Attorney can:

Pay bills and manage household expenses
Collect pensions and benefits
Deal with banks and financial institutions
Buy or sell property on your behalf
Handle tax matters

This LPA can be used (with your permission) while you still have capacity, or if you lose the ability to manage your affairs in the future.

Health & Welfare LPA

A Health & Welfare LPA covers decisions about your personal wellbeing.

Your Attorney can make decisions about:

Where you live
Your daily care and routine
Medical treatment
Life-sustaining treatment (if you choose to give that authority)

Without a Health & Welfare LPA in place, even close family members may not have the legal authority to make certain decisions on your behalf. In some situations, decisions may be made by medical professionals or local authorities instead.

Putting this in place ensures your wishes are clearly documented and respected.

A Real Example

A friend of ours was seriously ill, and had made it clear to her husband that she did not wish to die in hospital - she wanted to stay at home and did not want to be resuscitated.

One evening, she collapsed at home. When the ambulance crew arrived, her husband explained her wishes. However, without a registered Health & Welfare LPA in place, he did not have the legal authority to make decisions for her.

Despite knowing her wishes, the ambulance service was required to take her to hospital, where she passed away several hours later.

Situations like this highlight how important it is to ensure your wishes are legally documented and that the right person has the authority to act for you.

Protecting You & Your Family

Putting an LPA in place provides:

Reassurance that trusted individuals can act for you
Clarity around your wishes
Protection against delays or disputes
Avoidance of costly Court of Protection applications (approx. £2,000 initially then around £500-800 per year)
Continued independence - you retain your voice even when you can no longer speak for yourself
Elimination of guesswork for your loved ones

How We Help

At EPS, an adviser can guide you through the entire process in a clear and supportive manner.

We will:

Advise you on the most appropriate LPA arrangements tailored for your situation
Draft and prepare the documentation
Ensure the forms are correctly completed and certified to prevent any mishaps in future
Register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian

Our aim is to make the process straightforward, efficient, and reassuring - giving you lasting peace of mind.