Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Regardless of health, everyone should consider a Lasting Power of Attorney. Anyone over 18 can set it up - you don't need to be unwell.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document, completed whilst a person (the ‘donor’) has the mental capacity to do so. It appoints one or more people (‘attorneys’) to make decisions on their behalf, in case they cannot make a decision later on (for example, because they have lost capacity due to an accident or dementia).
LPAs give a person more control over what happens to them if they have an accident or an illness and cannot make their own decisions.
There are two types of LPA:
- Health and Welfare LPA
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA
Health and Welfare LPA
This LPA gives an attorney the power to make decisions about things like:
- a person’s daily routine, e.g. washing, dressing or eating
- medical care
- moving into a care home
- life-sustaining treatment
It can only be used when someone is unable to make their own decisions.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This LPA gives an attorney the power to make decisions about money and property, for example:
- managing a bank or building society account
- paying bills
- collecting benefits or a pension
- selling a person’s home
It can be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission.
Help in deciding if you should make a lasting power of attorney
Applications can be made online for either type of LPA, via the Office of the Public Guardian.
Email:
customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk
Telephone:
Textphone:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, 10am to 5pm
