Powers of Attorney Posted by David West , 28/07/2015

Powers of Attorney

Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA)

Until the 1st October 2007 it was possible in England & Wales to prepare an Enduring Power of Attorney, appointing someone to manage your financial affairs on your behalf if you became unable to do so. Under the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, new Enduring Powers of Attorney cannot be made, although existing EPAs continue to be valid.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) in England & Wales

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, individuals can now draw up a legal document in England & Wales called a LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA). This is a document that enables individuals (known as a Donor) to appoint a person or persons (known as Attorneys) to look after their affairs in the event of mental and/or physical incapacity, perhaps due to infirmity in old age, illness or accident.

It is essential that such arrangements are made while fit and healthy since the Law does not allow such arrangements to be made after the event, which can leave families with a multitude of practical problems. A LPA can be drawn up to cover the management of financial affairs (called a Property & Financial Affairs LPA) and a second LPA (called a Health and Welfare LPA) to cover the management of personal matters such as medical care. Unlike in Scotland, a single document to cover both aspects is not allowed. While an LPA is a very powerful document, there are numerous safeguards to prevent its abuse: An LPA is primarily used to appoint a person to deal with your affairs after the onset of mental and/or physical incapacity. However before the document can be used, certain people (including the Donor), who are selected by the Donor when drafting the LPA, have to be notified and anyone can object if they are not happy with the reasons why the document is being brought into effect.

Restrictions can be included on what the attorneys can and cannot do under the authority of the documents and advice or guidance can be included by the Donor about how they would like the Attorney(s) to act. When the LPA is signed, a certificate must be completed by a professional or someone who has known the donor for at least two years to confirm that the person making the document understands the meaning of the LPA and the consequences of it. Like your Will, a LPA can be updated or cancelled at any time should circumstances change (as long as you have the capacity to do so). For more information on drafting either a Property and Financial Affairs LPA or a Health and Welfare LPA, please contact The Probate Bureau on 0800 028 283708000282837 FREE