Power of Attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to appoint someone you trust to look after your affairs if you are no longer able to. A Power of Attorney can look after your finances, property and your personal welfare including medical decisions. Without a Power of Attorney the government not your loved ones decides.
The Power of Attorney can come into effect as soon as it is registered with the office of Public Guardians or later, you decide.
Why do a Power of Attorney?
Many people wrongly believe that their partner, parents or children will be able to make decisions on their behalf if they are unable to, this is not the case. Without a Power of Attorney the following can happen:
By setting up a Power of Attorney you are in control of who manages your personal affairs.
Your trusted person can have access to your bank accounts, savings, investments and other financial matters when you need them to. Having a Power of Attorney makes things easier in the future for the people you care about most.
Types of Power of Attorney
Continuing P.O.A
This allows your trusted person to pay bills, deal with banks and investments, arrange and collect benefits or even sell property on your behalf. You decide in advance what powers you want to give them meaning you are still in control.
Welfare P.O.A
This allows your trusted person to make decisions about your health and personal welfare, for example your Attorney can decide where you live should you need to go into care or whether you receive life sustaining treatment.
Combined P.O.A
The majority of Powers of Attorney are combined providing your loved one the ability to make decisions around both your finance and your welfare; however, it is your choice.