A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document that allows you to appoint Attorneys to assist you in dealing with your Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare as and when the need arises.
The alternative is a Deputyship Order, applied for either by a family member or a Court Appointed Deputy if you should not longer have Mental Capacity and do not have Lasting Powers of Attorney in place. In respect of a Deputyship Order, as this is only applied for when you do not have Mental Capacity, you do not have any say with regards who is to act for you as Deputy.
Lasting Powers of Attorney for both Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare for a couple can be prepared and placed in safekeeping until required and can be drawn up for just under the cost of what one Deputyship Order for one person can be prepared for.
If Lasting Powers of Attorney are not in place when needed, no one will be able to assist you until such times as a Deputyship Order has been granted, which in the normal course of events can take between 7 and 9 months to be granted. Other than the initial cost and the Court Fee, there are also annual expenses for a security bond and court supervision fee, based on the patient’s finances.
The Lasting Powers of Attorney take 20 weeks to register but enable your Attorneys to act immediately, even whilst you have capacity but on your authority.
Give your family peace of mind and also ensure that you are well cared for and in accordance with your wishes, appointing Attorneys that you trust to assist you as and when the time arises, whatever the circumstances.
For friendly and supportive, no obligation advice on whether we can help you, please call us on 01304-873344.