On Sunday 17th September, Amanda Perrins took part in a very wet Memory Walk to raise for the...
The possibility of becoming incapable of making our own decisions is something none of us want to think about. However, should the worst happen, failing to plan ahead could have serious consequences.
At hpjv, we have a dedicated team of solicitors that can provide compassionate and dedicated support to those looking to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
Making a LPA allows you to name a trusted person (or persons) to take care of your financial and property affairs or make decisions about your health and welfare, should you become incapable of doing so yourself.
Our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Chepstow will work diligently to provide you with the compassionate and dedicated support you need to put precautionary measures into place – ensuring you have full control over your future.
Our specialist team can provide LPA guidance on a variety of matters such as:
- Property and Finance
- Health and Welfare
- Business
At hpjv solicitors, we understand the level of sensitivity surrounding making a LPA, which is why we want to assure you we will do everything in our power to ensure your case is treated with the utmost care and professionalism.
Speak to our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Chepstow today
To get in contact with one of our solicitors in Chepstow, South Wales, please call us on 01291 843120 or send us an enquiry. Alternatively, you can email us at enquiries@hpjv.co.uk.
How we can help you with Lasting Power of Attorney related matters
At hpjv solicitors, we can help you with all aspects of creating an official LPA that is right for you and your personal circumstances and our specialist team can provide you with all the necessary information.
We can assist you when it comes to choosing an attorney, deciding which type of LPA is right for you and we will correctly register the document with the Office of the Public Guardian to ensure its validity.
Many people worry that making a LPA will mean they automatically lose control of their affairs. This is not true. A LPA is simply a precautionary measure – as long as you retain mental capacity, you will remain in full control of your decisions and assets.
It is important to remember, whether it is yourself or a loved one who is interested in making a LPA, it must be made whilst you, or they, are still able to make informed decisions. If you have any doubts about this, our dedicated team will be able to help. We can provide all the information you need to fully understand the process and advise on a professional assessment if needs be.
Types of Lasting Power of Attorney
There are various types of LPAs available to you. Our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Chepstow will be able to support you in choosing which will be right for your situation, all while ensuring you are never giving away more control than comfortable with.
The type of LPA you need will depend entirely on what area of your life you would like your attorney to take care of. You have the option to make a single LPA – relating to one specific area of your life, or, you have the option to make multiple. The decision depends entirely on your situation.
Health and Welfare LPAs
If you were to make a LPA related to health and welfare, this would give your attorney/s the power to make decisions about things such as:
- Your day-to-day care (including what you consume and what you wear)
- Your medical care (including arrangements relating to life-sustaining treatment)
- What contact you have with certain people and who can access your personal data
A health and welfare LPA can only be used if you’re unable to make your own decisions.
Property and Financial LPAs
If you were to make a LPA related to property and finance, this would give your attorney the power to do things such as:
- Manage your bank or building society accounts
- Buy, rent or sell your property
- Make decisions relating to your pension
- Pay your household bills
- Collect benefits or a pension
Unlike a health and welfare LPA, once registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, a property and finance LPA can be used immediately, or held until required.
Business LPAs
As a business owner, or a key stakeholder in a company, a business LPA would enable you to nominate someone (or several people) to make key business-related decisions if you were to ever lose the capacity to do so yourself.
A business LPA is essentially a type of property and financial LPA that specifically relates to business matters. If you were to make one, it would give your attorney the power to deal with affairs such as:
- Paying creditors
- Settling debts
- Managing taxes
- Dealing with investments
- Paying employees
A business LPA works in the same way as a property and finance LPA, in that, once formally registered, it can be used immediately, or held until needed. This type of LPA is also commonly used on a temporary basis such as when business owners go on holiday.
Creating a business LPA should be a fundamental part of the financial and planning strategy of any business. Failing to plan ahead could lead to an array of potentially catastrophic consequences.
The importance of making a Lasting Power of Attorney
Sadly, some of us will reach a point in life where we are no longer able to make decisions for ourselves – whether that’s through ill health or even a tragic accident. Failing to plan ahead for this kind of situation can leave not only yourself but your loved ones in a difficult and stressful situation.
If you were to ever become unable to express your decisions and you did not have a LPA in place, the people you love would not automatically be given control of your affairs. They would need to go through the process of applying for a Deputyship Order.
A Deputyship Order is a legal document that would enable someone to make certain decisions on your behalf, if you ever became incapable of doing so yourself and did not have a LPA in place.
Applying to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order can be a time-consuming and expensive process, which is why we would always recommend taking the precautionary measure of making an LPA. It is something that can make a significant difference to your own life and the lives of your loved ones.
Speak to our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Chepstow today
To get in contact with one of our Lasting Power of Attorney specialists in Chepstow, South Wales, please call us on 01291 843120 or send us an enquiry. Alternatively, you can email us at enquiries@hpjv.co.uk.
