Lasting Power of attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney is an essential legal document which helps protect your interests during your life. Many people consider it as important as a Will and see it as one of the final pieces in the process of planning and protecting their estate.

Whilst a Will describes what happens when we die, we seldom think about who would manage our affairs, or make decisions regarding our welfare, should we not be able to do so ourselves.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney - one deals with property and financial affairs and the other with health and personal welfare. By using one or both these documents you can appoint whom you wish to manage your affairs and to make decisions regarding your medical treatment and welfare if and when you can no longer make decisions yourself. It’s not just in old age when this can be needed as both illness and accident can strike unexpectedly.

The simplest way of determining whether you might benefit from this document would be to ask yourself the question "if I couldn’t manage my affairs, who would have legal permission to do so for me?" This is very different from people just wanting to help. Banks, utility companies, even Local Authorities won’t speak to such people unless they have legal authority. This can only be given through a registered Lasting Power of Attorney.

We will be pleased to take you through the process of setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney and registering it with the Office of the Public Guardian. 

 

Disabled Beneficiaries

 

Incorporating a Disabled Discretionary Trust enables you to appoint who you wish to make financial decisions regarding the inheritance for your disabled beneficiary, without it affecting their benefits.