A lasting power of attorney, or LPA, designates the person who you want to handle your affairs if you are mentally incapacitated. This comes with several important benefits.
It helps you remain in control of your affairs
When you create a UK Power of Attorney, with the help of a site such as powerofattorneyonline.co.uk/, you do not just say who you want to make decisions on your behalf. You can specify whether you want them to handle financial matters or medical questions, and can be particular about when and how you want them to do so. This means you can choose someone you trust and inform them of your wishes, and they will be legally bound to follow your instructions. You also control who you tell about the LPA.
There are protections to stop it being misused
For an LPA to be legally valid, both your and your attorney’s signatures need to be witnessed, and you need someone to provide a certificate proving your understanding of the LPA. It must officially be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. The LPA places a legal obligation on your attorneys to act in your best interest, which means they can be challenged if they do not, and anyone who knows about the LPA can raise concerns. This ensures no one can fraudulently create an LPA, or take advantage of you.
If you want to ensure that your wishes are respected and that someone you trust is in charge of making decisions on your behalf, then creating an LPA is essential.
