Why everyone should consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney

We all know that we should write a will, but too few of us know we should also consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives another individual(s) the legal authority to look after specific aspects of someone’s financial affairs and/or health and welfare should they lose the capacity to do so. They are not just for the elderly; younger people may become incapacitated through accident or sudden illness and we have clients of all ages who have planned for the future by preparing an LPA.

If someone becomes incapacitated and they were the person who always dealt with the family’s finances, then without a LPA in place, relatives may face long delays and expense in applying to the Court of Protection to get access to bank accounts, insurance companies and utility and mobile phone companies.

It is important to ensure that an LPA is drafted correctly – otherwise life can be made unintentionally difficult in applying to register the Lasting Power of Attorney (which has to be done before they can be used) and for your attorneys in the future.

All our LPA work is undertaken by qualified Solicitors and we offer competitive fixed fees for preparing LPAs.

If you would like to have a chat with someone about making a LPA, then please can call our office on 01267 237 441 – Option 2 – or e-mail us at mail@utk.co.uk.