Who can be your LPA attorney?
If you need a Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, you must decide who to appoint as your attorney. You must choose someone whom you trust to act in your best interests and who is willing and able to take on this responsibility.
What does LPA entail?
The person that you appoint as your attorney will need to act on your behalf in matters relating to either your health care or your finances, or both. You could appoint one or several people, based on their skills, experience and availability.
Your LPA will come into effect in the event that you lack capacity to make appropriate decisions regarding your finances or your health. At this point, your attorney will become responsible for your finances and/or for making medical decisions for you, based upon the responsibilities you have placed upon them.
Who can be an attorney?
In the UK power of attorney can be given to anyone over the age of 18. Usually, the person is a close and trusted relative, such as an adult child or sibling. They must not be bankrupt, and you must trust them to make decisions that are in your best interest.
Where family conflict exists or you do not have a family member willing or able to take on this responsibility, you may appoint an accountant or a solicitor to take on this role. While a professional will act in your best interest without being influenced by emotion, they will charge for their time.
How many LPAs should you have?
Most people only appoint one attorney, and this is usually adequate. However, if your chosen attorney has a hectic schedule, their own medical issues or lives far away, you may appoint a second person too. In this case, you must articulate their responsibilities and the chain of command, so that there is no ambiguity.
Enacting an LPA
Complete the application form, which you can do online at //powerofattorneyonline.co.uk. Sign the form and get signatures from your attorney and a certificate provider.
Finally, the LPA will be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
