A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, is a legal document. It allows individuals to nominate someone else to act on their behalf with regard to their finances and medical care, should they become severely unwell or mentally incapacitated.
Who needs an LPA?
Everyone should get an LPA as the law does not allow third parties to assume decision-making responsibilities for unwell loved ones purely because they are married or related to them. People can only make decisions on behalf of someone else when they have been nominated to do so via an LPA.
How do you get an LPA?
A family solicitor can write an LPA, or you can easily get an LPA online at a specialist website such as https://powerofattorneyonline.co.uk. It does not take long and provides lasting peace of mind.
What happens if you don’t make an LPA?
If you don’t make an LPA and become severely unwell or lose your mental capacity, somebody will need to apply to become your deputy. There are two types of deputy: a personal welfare deputy who will make medical and healthcare decisions and a property and financial affairs deputy who will take control of their loved one’s finances. In both instances, deputies are legally required to make decisions that are in their loved one’s best interests.
Becoming a deputy is a more time-consuming and expensive process than writing an LPA, with increased scrutiny and supervision. While it is good that safeguards are in place, they can put an immense strain on people at a time when they are already vulnerable.