A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document used for forward planning. It allows you to choose someone you trust today (the Attorney) to make decisions for you as it concerns your property and financial affairs or health and welfare in the event that at some time in the future you lack the mental capacity to make those decisions yourself.

There is a misconception that LPA only apply to the elderly or teminally ill. This is incorrect. It is wise for everyone of any age and capacity to  have one in place to cover any eventuality.

If you no longer have the mental capacity to look after your own affairs and you do not have an LPA in place, the Court of Protection will appoint a Deputy to manage your affairs for you. This may not necessarily be a person of your choice and is rather costly, lengthy and sometime cumbersome. Worse still, the Deputy may not necesarily be somee you would have chosen yourself.

The Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows you to choose a person you trust to make decisions about how to your property and financial affairs are managed

The Health and Welfare LPA allows you to choose someone you trust to make decisions about your personal healthcare including life sustaining treatments and your welfare including  deciding where you live.