Lasting Powers of Attorney

It is a fact of life that as a nation we are living much longer. Have you considered the impact this may have upon your ability to manage your financial and personal affairs later in life and in the event of a physical or mental disability?

 From the 1st October 2007 you are able to make a new type of Power of Attorney, called a "Lasting Power of Attorney" (LPA).  A LPA is a legal document where a person gives another person or persons (the attorney) authority to make certain decisions on his or her behalf.  There are two types of LPA

• a Property and Affairs LPA which gives your attorney authority to deal with your property and finances as you specify.
• a Welfare LPA which gives your attorney authority to make welfare and health care decisions on your behalf but only when you lack mental capacity to do so yourself.  This could extend, if you wish, to giving or refusing consent to life sustaining treatment.