Lasting Powers of Attorney
Unfortunately, none of us can be certain that we will remain physically and mentally capable for the rest of our lives.
Accident or illness which can impact at any age or indeed simply ageing in itself may result in being temporarily or permanently unable to look after your own property and financial affairs yourself and possibly unable to make decisions for yourself in respect of your own health and welfare. Consider, how would you cope? How would your bills be paid or arranged, particularly if a lifechanging event occurred? How would your loved ones cope? People often assume that next of kin would be able to simply operate an account, this is not the case and joint accounts may be frozen by the bank once loss of mental capacity is established. Of course, this can result in matters such as arranging bill payments and making health and welfare choices difficult, stressful and in most cases without Power of Attorney, impossible.
Few people realise that due to increasingly complex data protection legislation, usually, no one else will be authorised to deal with your assets or other matters without Power of Attorney or authority from the Court. For those who lose capacity without having granted Power of Attorney, an application usually has to be made to the Court of Protection for a Deputy to be appointed, this process is complex, costly and time-consuming. By granting Power of Attorney, you do not lose control over your affairs, you are merely taking a prudent step toward safeguarding against future problems for your loved ones and providing yourself with peace of mind.
Next steps:
We can assist you in making a Lasting Power of Attorney enabling you to choose who you would wish to manage your affairs and make decisions for you if the day arrives where you cannot make decisions yourself.
Contact our Head of our Private Client department, Josephine Cuttill, who is a solicitor, member of the Probate Section of The Law Society, Accredited Lifetime Lawyer and Affiliate member of the STEP Society.
Pricing – Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, Probate and Estate Administration.
Contact Josephine – our Senior Private Client Solicitor, to discuss your needs further