legal services - powers of attorney
We can advise as to the setting up of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and Enduring Powers of Attorney established before 1st October 2007. LPAs allow you to choose someone now that you trust to make decisions on your behalf or at a time in the future when you no longer wish to make those decisions or you may lack the mental capacity to make those decisions yourself.
You can create two types of LPA;
- to protect your property and affairs (effectively replacing the EPA)
- to specify somebody to look after your personal welfare. This (amongst other things) allows the donor to nominate an attorney to make medical decisions on his behalf. These decisions can (if the donor wants them to) extend to whether or not the attorney can consent or refuse to life sustaining treatment on the donor's behalf .
We have advised many clients in the setting up and registration of LPAs.
We can also prepare General Powers of Attorney appointing an individual to act as your attorney to sign documentation for a specific transaction for a specific period of time, e.g. to sell a house whilst you are on holiday.
news
businesses
As a business owner, having an LPA in place can ensure continuity of your business should you become unable to deal with your affairs.
We strongly advise that this is linked to your general strategy for business continuity and succession planning.
international
Careful advice is required when a power of attorney might be required for matters in another jurisdiction. We will liaise with overseas firms to ensure that you get the best possible advice.
individuals
Great care needs to be taken before making a power of attorney. Can you trust the person? In many cases we suggest appointing more than one person to give you more reassurance. Some clients prefer professionals as well as a family members to avoid any conflict of interest.