Power of Attorney What is a Power of Attorney? It’s a legal document that you can only arrange while you’ve got the capacity to make your own decisions, so it’s best to get it in place early on. Guide to Power of Attorney What is Power of Attorney? Types of Power of Attorney How to set up a Power of Attorney Facts and Myths about Powers of Attorney What is Power of Attorney? It’s a legal document that gives the power for someone (your 'attorney') to make decisions about your finance or welfare on your behalf, if you are unable to do so. You can only set up attorney powers while you’ve got the capacity to make your own decisions, so it’s best to get it in place early on. Do I need a Power of Attorney? Many people think that if they lose mental capacity their next of kin, such as a spouse or child, will be able to make decisions on their behalf. Whilst family should be consulted in these situations, the ultimate decision will not lie with them unless you have set up a valid Power of Attorney. What if I change my mind? So long as you have mental capacity, you can withdraw the Power of Attorney at any point by contacting the supervisory body in your country. Can I have more than one Attorney? Yes, you can appoint any number of people to act on your behalf under a Power of Attorney. You will need to specify whether they are to act jointly (all in agreement) or whether there are some decisions that they can take ‘severally’ (in isolation). How much does Power of Attorney cost? In England and Wales, it costs around £80 to register a Power of Attorney and you can complete the forms yourself. If you use a solicitor’s firm or will writing service, then the cost may be a few hundred pounds or more. Co-op Legal Services The Co-op Legal Services Executor & Attorney Support Hub has more information on setting up a Power of Attorney and their regulated legal team can provide you with advice and assistance. We have an agreement with Co-op Legal Services who will offer you a 10% discount on their standard fees for setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney. Visit their hub Understanding mental capacity Being able to make and communicate decisions at the time you need to make them is called having mental capacity. It means you understand the decision you’re taking, why you need to take it, and the likely outcome The five principles of mental capacity Need help? Understanding mental capacity Losing your mental capacity can be a daunting prospect, however the sooner you plan on how to deal with it, the more in control you can be. Your mental capacity Need legal advice? We have an agreement with Co-op Legal Services who will offer you a 10% discount on their standard fees for setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney. Their Executor & Attorney Support Hub has further information. Visit their hub Find local help to you Whether you need some help at home, or want to find out more about Care Homes in your area, our tool can help. Finding Care tool For a free call with our care experts, call Freephone 0800 086 8170. Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. We may record and monitor calls. Request callback Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Twitter Accessibility Legal and regulatory information Privacy policy Cookie policy Security information Sitemap All our websites About us Making a complaint Group website Modern Slavery Statement Careers © Legal & General Group plc 2021 This Website uses Cookies We use cookies to make this website work, and to understand how you use it. This helps us to improve our service and your online experience. Cookies may also collect limited data about your interactions with websites that we may use to provide you with specific content, or to share relevant offers on other websites and social media. You can read our cookie policy to find out more about the cookies that we will store on your computer or device. You can easily customise your cookie settings at any time by using the link at the bottom of our website. For the best experience, we recommend that you accept all cookies. Customise Cookie Settings ✓ Accept All Cookies