Lasting Powers of Attorney - Property & Affairs

This is a document which enables you to appoint someone to look after your financial affairs. It will remain in force even if you become mentally incapable of managing your own affairs. It is known as a "LPA".

We all hope this time will never come. If you are, however, in this unfortunate position, at least there will be someone you trust who will look after your affairs.

• You can appoint your spouse, partner, relative, a friend, or your Solicitor to be your Attorney.
  
• You can appoint more than one Attorney. They can be appointed "jointly" which means they all have to sign any documents or "jointly and independently" which means that any one of them can sign.
  
• You can appoint a Replacement Attorney should any of your original Attorneys be unable to act.
  
• The LPA may come into effect immediately or be put somewhere safe until you need it to come into operation. It must, however, be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.
  
• It is possible to restrict your Attorney's powers, for example, they may only be able to deal with certain assets.
  
• You can also give guidance in your LPA which your Attorneys should take into account when making decisions on your behalf.
  
• You can choose up to five people to be notified when an application to register your LPA is made. They can object if they feel, for example, you were put under undue pressure to complete the LPA. This is an important safeguard.
  
• When you complete the LPA an independent person (known as a "Certificate Provider") must sign to confirm that you understand the nature of the LPA. This is another important safeguard.
  
• If you wish your Attorneys to make decisions regarding your medical treatment or where you live, you would need to complete a Lasting Power of Attorney - Personal Welfare, which is a separate document.

We will complete the LPA for a fixed price which will be agree with your beforehand.

For further information speak to a member of our Private Client Team.

Nick Penwell at Exeter - N.Penwell@dunnandbaker.co.uk
Julia Green at  Exeter - J.Green@dunnandbaker.co.uk

or

Barbara Hodgson at Cullompton - B.Hodgson@dunnandbaker.co.uk