Lasting Power of Attorney General Information

The time may come when you are incapable of managing your property and financial affairs or personal welfare and need someone to do this for you.

You can formally appoint a friend, relative or professional to hold a lasting power of attorney (LPA) that will allow them to act on your behalf.

A LPA is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust as an ‘attorney’ to make decisions on your behalf.

A LPA can be drawn up at any time while you have capacity and has legal standing (i.e. it takes effect) when it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

You can create two types of LPA:

Property and Affairs LPA

A Property and Affairs LPA allows you to choose someone to make decisions about how to spend your money and the way your property and affairs are managed. A registered LPA Property and Affairs can be used at any time, whether you have the mental ability to act for yourself or not.

Personal Welfare LPA

A Personal Welfare LPA allows you to choose someone to make decisions about your healthcare and welfare. This includes decisions to consent to (or refuse) treatment on your behalf and deciding where you live. These decisions can only be taken on your behalf when the LPA is registered and you lack the capacity to make the decisions yourself. See also our page on Living Wills.