LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY

Marley Solicitors now offer a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) service

This is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people, known as “attorneys”, to help make decisions if you can’t.

If you don’t have an LPA, and for any reason suddenly become unable to manage your own affairs (e.g., you suffer an accident and are confined to bed or a hospital or suffer a more serious accident that permanently incapacitates you, or you become mentally incapacitated as a result of old age or for some other reason), then the only way that your financial affairs can be managed is by an application to the Court of Protection from a relative or other person close to you, which could take up to 10 months to process and may cost over £3,000.00.

Appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney gives you peace of mind. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you are deemed to lack mental capacity to do so yourself, in which case they are able to make decisions on your behalf.

Appointing an attorney gives you peace of mind that someone you trust is in charge of your affairs.

Who needs a lasting power of attorney?

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) serves as a legal tool, allowing you to designate a trusted individual to make decisions on your behalf in the event of your incapacity. While it’s not a legal requirement, it’s highly recommended for anyone who wants to ensure their affairs are managed according to their wishes. Here are some key groups who might particularly benefit from setting up an LPA:

• Anyone Concerned About Future Incapacity: Regardless of your current health, unforeseen events like accidents or sudden illnesses can affect your ability to make decisions. An LPA ensures that your chosen person can step in and handle your affairs when needed.
• Older Adults: As we age, the risk of cognitive decline increases. If you have an LPA in place, we will honour your preferences for managing finances or health decisions even if you lose mental capacity.
• Individuals with a Family History of Cognitive Impairment: If dementia or similar conditions run in your family, you may wish to plan ahead to avoid potential complications in decision-making later in life.
• People with Complex Financial or Personal Affairs: Whether you own property, run a business, or have a diverse range of assets, an LPA can help ensure that your financial matters are managed smoothly and in line with your instructions.
• Anyone Seeking Peace of Mind: Establishing an LPA can reduce the potential for family disputes or stress during a challenging time, knowing that a trusted person is legally empowered to act on your behalf.

There are two types of applications, which are for property and finance and health and welfare; with these in place, your attorneys act on your behalf should you lose mental capacity.

These applications are very important, and you should carefully consider your attorney, keeping in mind the importance of choosing people you trust and who are able and competent to assist you and are trustworthy.

Client testimonial – Creation of an LPA

“What a lovely refreshing change to meet someone who is not your stereotypical, old fashioned solicitor.

Lesley is a warm & friendly person who speaks to you as an equal, without any of the usual patronising superiority that you tend to get used to with this profession.

Met Lesley and Yasmin for the first time on Thursday to discuss an LPA, done and dusted and signed by Monday.

Couldn’t wish for more superb and efficient service.”

– Melissa     

How much does a lasting power of attorney cost?

Once registered with the Office of Public Guardian, they are ready to use. The cost of registration is £82.00 per power. If your income is less than £12,000.00 or you receive the guaranteed element of pension credit, there is a registration fee discount. In addition to this, our costs for a single application for both powers are £450 plus VAT, and for two people for both powers, our costs are £650.00 plus VAT.

Call now to make an appointment at our local Bamber Bridge office: 01772 282600 / 01772 282602.