If you’re looking to protect yourself and your property in the future, our experienced lasting power of attorney solicitors are here to ensure your long-term wishes are clearly documented and that you have trusted representatives appointed to act on your behalf should it be necessary. 

Key Lasting Power of Attorney requirements 

There are two types of lasting power of attorney; property and financial affairs LPA, and health and welfare LPA. Both have similar principles: 

• They must be documented before any lack of capacity 

• They’re guided by the Mental Capacity Act & the Office of the Public Guardian 

• Your representatives (solicitors) will always act in your best interests 

Why LPAs are important 

A complete or partial lack of mental capacity can occur at any time, and as our lifespans grow longer, our chances of a dementia diagnosis in older age also increases – with current figures indicating that one in three people will be diagnosed at some point in their life. 

Having a lasting power of attorney (or LPA) in place relieves some of the stress from your family, if you become incapacitated and unable to manage your own affairs as some time in your life. Without an LPA, your family would have to apply to the Court of Protection to appoint a representative – which can be a long process. 

Property and financial affairs LPAs 

This type of lasting power of attorney allows your appointed solicitor to carry out financial transactions and make decisions about your financial affairs – such as managing your property, paying bills, accessing your bank account and controlling your investments.  

A significant advantage of this type of LPA is that you can use it to allow your solicitor(s), with your permission, to carry out transactions on your behalf while your mental capacity is still intact, ideal if you are facing physical mobility problems. The LPA will then remain in place as your mental capacity diminishes, ensuring that your financial welfare is protected. 

Health and welfare LPAs 

A health and welfare LPA is only activated when you no longer have the capacity to make decisions yourself, on areas such as health conditions, medication, accommodation and carer requirements. It can even document visitation access and express your expectations on end-of-life care – so that your wishes are met and disputes between family or health care professionals prevented. 

A lasting power of attorney can only be made after you have received independent advice on its content and must be approved by a ‘certificate provider’ before it can be completed. Our specialists at Stanton & Partners can provide this certification service. 

How we can help 

Our experienced and professional lasting power of attorney solicitors can assist with many requirements, including: 

• Independent advice on LPA content 

• Documenting your LPA 

• Ensuring legislative conformity 

• Acting as Certificate Provider for approval 

• Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian 

• Acting as attorney for financial affairs LPA 

Learn more about lasting powers of attorney 

Creating a lasting power of attorney is an important step for you and your family. If you’d like more information about how LPAs work, see our lasting power of attorney guide here. 

Contact the team 

For a quick compatibility call with one of our Power of Attorney solicitors, call us on 0191 427 0770