People entrusted with a relative's financial affairs are being let down. Financial institutions are causing unnecessary suffering to the relatives of people with mental disabilities because of confusion between individuals with Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and deputies appointed by the Court of Protection. Whether it is an elderly relative with dementia or a young person mentally disabled at birth or in an accident, there are numerous situations in which relatives of a mentally incapacitated person need to be able to manage that person's affairs. An "attorney" is appointed under an LPA when a person (the "donor") makes the decision, before they become incapacitated, to appoint someone they trust (the "attorney") to look after their finances or property. LPAs replaced the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) on October 1 2007, but EPAs drawn up before that date can still be used. When an individual who lacks mental capacity has not granted an LPA or EPA, or when an existing attorney dies while the donor is still alive, a deputy has to be appointed by the Court of Protection. This is why it may be advisable for a donor to appoint two individuals with Lasting Power of Attorney, in case one predeceases the donor. Although thousands of people are appointed each year as attorneys or deputies, the unfortunate experience of Teresa Sienkiewicz at the hands of Nationwide Building Society and Barclays (see case study) indicates that staff at some financial institutions do not know how to deal with third parties seeking