.st0 { fill: #9DAE88; } Home - Wills, Trusts & Probate - Power of Attorney Power of Attorney We’re often asked if it’s possible for family or friends to take over the financial affairs of a loved one who is ill, away from home or incapacitated. And we answer:- it is - but only if you have a Power of Attorney! What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”)? It’s a document by which you choose one person, or more, to stand in your shoes and deal with the outside world on your behalf. You are the Donor and the person whom you appoint is your Attorney. You can only enter into an LPA if you have full mental capacity. There are two types of LPA: Property and Financial Affairs This allows your Attorney(s) to deal with your financial affairs as though they were you. They can buy things, transfer money and sell your property if it is in your best interests to do so. Health and Welfare This allows your chosen Attorney(s) to make decisions about the medical treatment you should receive if you are unable to give instructions yourself, and to make decisions about your welfare such as whether you should live in a residential care home. By making an LPA (of either kind) you are giving away a lot of power – but you needn’t worry; you can ensure that you are well protected. Firstly – an LPA (of either kind) cannot be used at all unless the Attorney holds the original document. If you wish, we can keep the original document in our safekeeping (there’s no charge for this – it’s all part of the service) so that you have peace of mind. We’ll only release it to the Attorney upon your order or if we are satisfied that you have lost the mental capacity to deal with your own affairs. Secondly, an LPA (of either kind) can only be used if it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”). You can prepare and sign the document and delay having it registered until it is needed. Thirdly, you can, in the document itself, limit what your Attorney(s) can do. Really, everyone – however young – owes it to their family and loved ones to make both types of Lasting Power of Attorney:- because, if an unexpected event strikes, having these documents will relieve both you and them of real financial and emotional worry. Contact us to discuss making a Power of Attorney and ask for a fixed quote. What will we do for you? First, we’ll listen. Then we’ll ask questions. Then we’ll advise. And then we’ll do what you ask us... quickly, simply and at the cost we’ve agreed. Contact us by phone or email whenever you are ready. “ Luke Taylor provided clarity in all aspects of the work undertaken, with prompt responses to telephone or email queries. ” Case Ref. WIL3040 VIEW TESTIMONIALS Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team + LUKE TAYLOR SOLICITOR HEAD OF WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE + EMMA WARNER WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE EXECUTIVE Contact Us 01252 375 376 enquire@woodfordstauffer.co.uk Talk to the right lawyer Contact us Careers Privacy & Security Terms of Use Accessibility Complaints Procedure About Price Transparency Tel: 01252 375 376 Fax: 01252 376 888 Email: enquire@woodfordstauffer.co.uk Church Path House, 63A Lynchford Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6EJ DX 59563 Farnborough VAT Number 641565048 © 2021 Woodford Stauffer Woodford Stauffer are Solicitors of England and Wales authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA Number: 71894. For more information on the solicitors' code of conduct visit www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/code/content.page Our Professional Indemnity Insurance is placed with AON whose contact details are; The Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3V 4AN Telephone 020 7623 5500. This insurance applies to the jurisdiction of England and Wales.