Power of Attorney
Setting up power of attorney is so important. We never know when we may need a trusted loved one to make decisions on our behalf. But setting it up can be simple. Compare costs and find the best expert for you.
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What is power of attorney?
Lasting Power of Attorney is when you grant someone else the ability to make decisions on your behalf, should it become necessary.
Having someone appointed who knows what you want regarding your care in hospital, your living situation or even to ensure payments are sorted so you do not get into debt whilst unwell, is something that can put your mind at ease.
Power of Attorney
Power of attorney for individuals
Most people choose to arrange power of attorney for themselves, based on their individual needs and considerations. This is simple to do, and you can compare quotes for up to four legal experts to help you make your power of attorney.
Compare quotesPower of attorney for couples
It is possible to arrange power of attorney as a couple. You will still have individual documents, but your paperwork will ensure you can act as attorney for your partner, and vice versa. Whether you are married or not, you still need power of attorney.
Compare quotesWhat is Lasting Power of Attorney?
Lasting Power of Attorney is when you grant someone else the ability to make decisions on your behalf, should it become necessary. This could be in case of an accident – if you were unconscious or unable to make a decision about your care, your ‘attorney’ would be able to advocate for what you would want.
Alternatively, if you became unwell with a disease like dementia, it would allow a trusted loved one to have access to your accounts and files (for a limited time) to ensure your wellbeing.
Power of Attorney is there to protect you should you become incapacitated or no longer judged to be ‘of mental capacity’. We often think of older people requiring power of attorney, but anyone could be hurt in an accident, or fall ill suddenly.
Having someone appointed who knows what you want regarding your care in hospital, your living situation or even to ensure payments are sorted so you don’t get into debt whilst unwell, is something that can put your mind at ease.
Financial Affairs or Health & Welfare?
A Property and Finance Lasting Power of Attorney is specific to the monetary power your attorneys would have. This would mean access to your accounts, the ability to pay any outstanding bills or if you requested, to sell your home to pay for care.
A Health and Welfare LPA is about decisions to do with your health and wellbeing, particularly to do with 'life-sustaining care' and whether you do not want specific treatments, surgeries or medications.
Power of Attorney for a couple
Your partner does not automatically have the ability to handle your health or financial situation if you lost mental capacity. Whilst some health elements are covered if you are a married couple, spouses to do not automatically get Power of Attorney. Therefore, it's worth setting up your LPAs as a couple to ensure that you can look after each other should anything happen.
If you would prefer to set up Power of Attorney for both you and your partner, we can help.
