Lasting Power of Attorney

At certain times of life or as we get older, we may feel that we need some help to manage our day to day affairs, whether this is due to physical or mental incapacity.

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint a member of your family or a close friend who you trust to manage your affairs or make welfare decisions if you are unable to do so.

There are two different Lasting Powers of Attorney available – one is for Property and Financial Affairs and one is for Health and Welfare decisions.

A Power of Attorney must be made whilst you are still able to make decisions for yourself.

Property and Financial Affairs (“Financial”)

An LPA for Financial decisions will allow someone to either assist you in managing your affairs or to manage your financial affairs on your behalf. This can be at your request if you still have capacity but can continue to be used if you no longer have capacity. The sort of decisions Attorneys might make could include:

• Selling your property

• Paying your bills

• Managing your bank accounts

• Making investments

Health and Welfare (“Health”)

An LPA for Health and Welfare can only be used if you are unable to make your own decisions. It would enable your Attorney to deal with matters such as:

• Who you should have contact with

• Where you should live

• Providing consent or refusing medical treatment

Appointing someone as your Attorney is a serious undertaking and it is essential that you take professional advice in order to understand the implications of Powers of Attorney. The law says that your Attorneys must always act honestly and in your best interests. You can revoke your Power of Attorney at any point whilst you have the capacity to do so.

Costs information

Our costs for one person:

£500 plus VAT – Lasting Power of Attorney Property & Financial Affairs OR Health & Welfare

£750 plus VAT – Lasting Power of Attorney Property & Financial Affairs AND Health & Welfare

Our combined costs for spouses/partners:

£750 plus VAT – Lasting Powers of Attorney Property & Financial Affairs OR Health & Welfare

£1,000 plus VAT – Lasting Powers of Attorney Property & Financial Affairs AND Health & Welfare

Certificate Provider fee:

If you choose Prestige Solicitors as your Certificate Provider, we will provide this service at no extra cost.

Registration fee:

£92 per Lasting Power of Attorney (or £46 if you are on a low income). You won’t have to pay the registration fee if you are on certain benefits. This fee is paid to the Office of the Public Guardian with the application for registration