The protection of your interests during your life time

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a written document in which you grant one or more persons the authority to make legally binding decisions on your welfare should you be no longer capable of making them yourself due to mental incapacity.

There are many reasons why people should write a Lasting Power of Attorney but we have selected just one: ‘dementia’ to encourage you to think carefully about protecting yourself and loved ones.

Facts regarding dementia in the UK, and yes, it can happen to any one of us

• There are currently 750,000 people with dementia in the UK.
• There are over 16,000 younger people with dementia in the UK.
• There will be over a million people with dementia by 2025.
• Two thirds of people with dementia are women.
• 64% of people living in care homes have a form of dementia.

Facts on alzheimers from http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Keep Control

A Lasting Power of Attorney document is needed regardless if you are married or single. And, it is the most suitable way to protect your interests by officially enabling friends or family to make decisions if you are no longer able to do so. Decisions that you may take for granted such as: accessing your bank to pay bills; talking to mortgage or utility providers; maintaining investments; writing personal or business cheques; to name but a few. As you are probably aware institutions are unlikely to converse with anyone who is not an official account holder, even if you are married, so everyday life can become difficult very quickly.

As well as appointed someone to make decisions on your behalf you can state clear directions on what level of control they have. For instance, you may want them to only have access to a particular account, arrange a remortgage or refinance debt at the end of a promotional period, provide permission to discuss benefits with the council or grant authority to deal with doctors or care home staff. The list could be short or endless but the process would have a legal framework to ensure your wishes are adhered to.

Good News

The reassuring thing is once a Lasting Power of Attorney is in place it can last a lifetime so you are much better off writing one now at today’s prices.

The Office of Public Guardian currently charges a registration fee of £120 for each Lasting Power of Attorney document. This is separate from our charges.

The Niche Wills Lasting Power of Attorney Validation Service involves vetting all concerned, offering advice, drafting the appropriate clauses, completion of the paperwork and overseeing the application and registration process.

Richard Stokes
Niche Will writing London I Tel: 020 7993 2044 I www.nichewills.co.uk