Setting up a Power of Attorney
Having a Lasting Power of Attorney (POA or LPA) can be invaluable but, like a will, it should be put in place before you actually need it.
What’s involved
A POA allows at least one other person to make decisions on your behalf if you become temporarily or permanently unable to do so yourself. Any adult can be an ‘attorney’ and no legal training is needed. Many people have more than one.
The types of POA
There are two POAs available:
- property and financial affairs allows your attorneys to either help you with or take over the management of your finances, including selling or buying a property. This POA can be enacted at any time.
- health and welfare gives your attorneys the legal right to make decisions about your health, medical treatment and care home arrangements. This can include daily care, end of life care and life sustaining treatment. It can only be used if it can be proved to a court that you are no longer capable of making such decisions yourself.
One POA type doesn’t cover everything – make sure you have the right one in place for your circumstances, or set up both POAs.
Did you know?
Legally, no one can look after your affairs for you – not even your spouse or partner – unless they’re named as an attorney on a POA.
Obtaining a POA
You can download and fill in the POA application forms via the GOV.UK website, where you’ll also find lots of useful guidance on the steps you need to take.
Or you can visit the Age UK or MoneyHelper websites for more information:
If you already have a POA
Please let us know if you have a POA already set up.
