Legal Insights with Wanstall Consulting, March 2022

Business and Economy, Health and Social Care, Homepage

Do I really need Lasting Powers of Attorney?
Many people think that Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are only for the elderly, or where there is a risk of an illness such as dementia. However, I recommend that all of my clients consider them, whatever age.

Why have LPAs?
If you do not have an LPA (or Enduring Power of Attorney) and you lost mental faculties, for whatever reason – such as ill health or accident – no-one is authorised to assist you with your financial, health or welfare affairs without first applying to be appointed as a Deputy at the Court of Protection. Deputyships are costly (with ongoing annual fees), take several months and can be restrictive.

This can cause significant delays and issues in helping look after not only yourself, but also your family, such as affecting access to funds, being able to sell a property, and arranging care and medical support.

Not just for ill health
LPAs are also extremely useful if you are in good health, but are not around to deal with matters yourself. This could be due to travelling or living abroad, or being in the military and based overseas, away on exercise, or deployed on operations.

Lasting Powers of Attorney
Having well planned LPAs does not affect your independence, but it does offer you, and your family, peace of mind : you authorise your chosen attorneys to look after your financial and health and welfare affairs for you if you either need, or wish, them, to do so.

“It is rarely too early to prepare an LPA, but it is, unfortunately, often too late.”

If you would like to discuss LPAs, or related matters, please contact me on iain@wanstallconsulting.co.uk or 01296 415700. You can also find more information on my website: www.wanstallconsulting.co.uk.