Powers of Attorney

Lasting Powers of Attorney enable you to appoint one or more people that you trust (attorneys) to manage your affairs for you during your lifetime, if perhaps you are physically or mentally incapable of doing so yourself. 

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney, one dealing with your financial affairs and the other with your health and welfare. 

You should carefully consider who you appoint as your attorneys, and how they are appointed, and consider including additional guidance and instructions to ensure that your wishes are known and followed.  It is important to take proper legal advice to ensure that these documents are not only legally valid but are actually helpful when you need them. 

Lasting Powers of Attorney can only be made while you are mentally capable; if these are not in place when someone sadly loses capacity then it may well be necessary to apply to the Court for Deputyship in order to manage their affairs. The Deputyship process is lengthy and expensive, and usually best avoided where possible.