An LPA or Last Power of Attorney, is a legal document that allows you to assign permission to someone who will be responsible for managing your affairs if you’re unable to. An LPA allows you to ensure that someone you trust is in control if you cannot make your own decisions.
There are two types of LPA. You can appoint someone to make your financial decisions, or you can choose someone to look after your health and care decisions if you are unable to. It is also an option to have both of these in place.
LPAs for financial decisions allow the appointed person to decide on things like the buying or selling of property, paying bills, investing money or arranging repairs. You can be specific about what powers you give them, or alternatively, you can allow an LPA to take care of everything. The appointed person also has to ensure your money is kept separate from theirs and that they maintain accounts of everything they do.
LPAs for health and care decisions cover things like what care you receive, where you live, and in some special cases, whether or not you will be given life-saving treatment if you require it.
Lasting Power of Attorney can be given at any time, and it will usually come into force if you are found not to have the mental capacity to make or communicate decisions yourself. For example, this could be if you have advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s or have an accident and can’t communicate your wishes.
LPAs are different to Wills, though many people will put an LPA in place at the same time as a Will while they are carrying out inheritance planning and getting their affairs in order.
Capital Life can advise on LPAs and put these in place for you, taking the stress and hassle out of this often confusing process. Take the time to plan for the future now, and contact their helpful team to find out your options.