Powers of Attorney

Powers of Attorney will ensure that someone you know and trust is empowered to look after your affairs in the manner you wish should you become incapable of doing so. With an ageing population, a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is something we need to be aware of.

In a nutshell, it is all about appointing somebody to act for you should you become unable to manage your own financial affairs.

While a Will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes when you die, an LPA protects your assets by authorising somebody you chose to deal with your affairs while you are alive.

In the event of serious illness or accident, without an LPA, the only way to manage your financial affairs is by applying to the Court of Protection (usually by a relative or close friend).

This can take months and cost up to thousands of pounds to process – during which time your finances could be seriously damaged. In some cases, the person authorised to handle your affairs on your behalf may not be the person of your choice and may even be a court official who can charge you every time they act for you.

If you have an LPA, your chosen representatives can act for you straight away if you become unable to handle your own affairs or if you become mentally incapacitated.

Everyone who makes a Lasting Power of Attorney for property and financial affairs should also make a Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare. This will ensure complete protection for health and wealth.

Decisions can only be taken on your behalf when you lack the mental capacity to make them yourself, for example, if you are ill, unconscious or because of the onset of a condition such as dementia.

Do you wish to chat through your options?

If you wish to discuss any aspects of making a LPA contact Mark Cook on 0191 567 7244 for a free, no-obligation discussion. We are here to assist you.​

Alternatively, you can email us at info@cooklaw.co.uk or complete our free online enquiry form, and we will contact you shortly.