Lasting Powers of Attorney

Making a Lasting Power of Attorney can seem like a difficult process, however our straightforward and helpful approach can save you and your family a lot of unnecessary stress further down the line.

In the future, it may not be possible to manage your own financial or welfare matters without help from someone else. Unfortunately, whether we are young or old, we can’t predict our future health. Naturally, we don’t want to think about developing a degenerative illness or having an unexpected accident, however, we are here to help you plan for such unexpected events and to ensure that you and your loved ones are protected.

Our Approach to Lasting Powers of Attorney

We will make a convenient time to discuss your Lasting Power of Attorney with you, whether this is over the telephone, via video conferencing, at our offices or at your home. We will listen to you, ask you why you would like to make a Lasting Power of Attorney and find out more about who you would like to appoint to make decision for you (who will be known as your Attorneys). We will complete the Lasting Power of Attorney forms for you, have the document signed by all parties and arrange for it to be registered at the Office of the Public Guardian.

Do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?

The short answer is yes, we should all have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, regardless of our age. It is important that you make Lasting Powers of Attorney while you have the mental capacity to do so. If you become incapable of managing your affairs in the future, your loved ones do not automatically have the power to deal with your affairs or make health decision on your behalf. In fact, due to strict Data Protection laws, they will not be able to do things like access your bank accounts, pay your bills, switch your savings to an account with a higher rate of interest, cancel subscriptions, sell your property or renew your house insurance. Therefore, a Lasting Power of Attorney is vitally important to ensure your loved ones aren’t placed in a very difficult position in the future. If you become unable to manage your affairs or cannot make decisions about your own health and welfare then in most circumstances an application will need to be made to the Court of Protection to ask for an Order for someone to be named as your Deputy. This application is a costly and time-consuming process.

For more information, our Deputyship FAQs may be helpful for you.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA):

Property and Financial Affairs LPA – your attorney can make decisions on things like buying or selling your property, paying your bills and opening or closing bank accounts, etc.
Health and Welfare LPA – your attorney can make decisions about your healthcare, such as where you live, your medical treatment, your meals and your social activities, etc.

For more information, our Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) FAQs or our Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) Fact Sheet may be helpful for you.

Need to know more about fees for LPAs? Read our Fee Guide »

HIGHLIGHTS

Mrs B wanted to execute a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs. Mrs B confirmed she had a sister whom she helped financially and wanted her attorneys to continue to do so. Mrs B also had a financial advisor with assets tied into investment portfolios.

We advised Mrs B on how we could draft the document in such a way that would give the attorneys the authority to continue to help her sister financially from her funds. We also advised Mrs B on how we could include clauses within her document to give the attorneys the authority to discuss her portfolios without issue.

Next Steps:

We will be happy to discuss any of the above and any other matters with you.

The first step is to contact one of our experienced team on 0345 209 4700 or email enquiries@savagesilk.co.uk to find out how we can help you make a Lasting Power of Attorney. Alternatively, request a call back.