If you are 18 or older, you can appoint someone to act on your behalf in the future. This legal arrangement is called a lasting power of attorney.
Who Can Be an Attorney
The person you appoint is called an attorney and they must also be over 18. As the person giving authority, you are known as the donor. You can choose to appoint one attorney or several. Attorneys can act jointly, meaning all decisions are made together, or jointly and severally, meaning some decisions can be made individually.
What are the different kinds of Power of Attorney?
There are two types, ordinary power of attorney and lasting power of attorney. An ordinary power of attorney is temporary and ends if you lose mental capacity. LPAs, introduced in 2007, can cover health and welfare or property and financial affairs. A health and welfare LPA will let your attorney make decisions about daily care, medical treatment, and life-sustaining care if you cannot decide. A property and financial affairs LPA lets your attorney manage money and property, pay bills, collect benefits or sell your home. If you need help setting up a UK power of attorney, firms like https://powerofattorneyonline.co.uk/ can offer guidance.
Applying for a Power of Attorney
It is usually recommended to set up both types of LPA together, when you’re reviewing your will. You can apply online through GOV.UK or request an application pack from the Office of the Public Guardian. Once registered, an LPA can be used immediately or kept until required.