A Lasting Power of Attorney is often something people associate with old age or declining health.

In reality, one of the main reasons to arrange one earlier is that it lets you decide who you would trust to make certain decisions for you if you could not make them yourself in the future.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney in England and Wales: Property and Financial Affairs, and Health and Welfare. You can make one type or both.

Why does timing matter?

An LPA is made while the person creating it has the mental capacity to make that decision.

Waiting until someone can no longer make an LPA can leave families facing a different and potentially more involved legal process.

There is also an administrative point to consider.

An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used, and registration is not immediate.

Who should you choose as an attorney?

An attorney may eventually be responsible for important decisions, so the choice deserves careful thought.

Trust is essential, but practical considerations matter too: whether the person is willing to act, understands your wishes and can deal with the responsibilities involved.

More than one attorney can be appointed, and the LPA can set out how they are expected to make decisions.

Can you make an LPA yourself?

Yes. Government forms and an online service are available, and some people are comfortable completing the process themselves.

Others prefer professional support, particularly if they want help understanding the choices within the forms, appointing more than one attorney or making sure the documents reflect their intentions.

LPA support around Richmond

Richmond Wills & Probate assists individuals and families across Richmond, Teddington, Twickenham and south west London with Lasting Powers of Attorney, alongside will writing, probate and estate administration.

Find out more about Lasting Power of Attorney support from Richmond Wills & Probate.

The useful time to think about an LPA is while it remains a choice you can make for yourself.

Richmond Wills & Probate is a sponsor of Richmond Nub News, without our sponsors, our Richmond online newspaper would not be possible. Thank you.