You may think your partner or close family members can make decisions for you if you’re not able to, but this is not the case. If they had to pay your bills or make a choice about your care, they would need legal authority.
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets people you trust quickly and easily step in when you need it most. It not only gives you a voice, it protects your decisions.
There are two different types
Finance and property
A finance and property LPA gives someone you trust the power to make decisions about your money and property. For example:
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- paying bills
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- managing a bank or building society
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- collecting benefits or a pension
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- selling your home
These powers can be used at any time, but only when you have specified it’s okay to do so.
Health and welfare
A health and welfare LPA gives someone you trust the power to make decisions on your behalf about your health and care. For example:
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- your daily routine like washing, dressing and eating
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- medical care
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- moving into a care home
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- life-sustaining treatment
You apply and register it now, but it’s only used if you can’t make your own decisions in the future.
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