A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint people (known as ‘attorneys’) to make decisions on your behalf.
It could be utilised if you became unable to make your own decisions.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Health and welfare
- Property and financial affairs
You can choose to make one type or both.
You must be 18 or over and possess a mental capacity – the ability to make your own decisions – when you make your final decisions.
If a person has lost mental capacity before they have made a Lasting Power of Attorney, then it is necessary for an application to be made to the Court of Protection for a Deputy to be appointed. Anyone can be a Deputy and there are also specialist solicitors who can assist in making the application and will also act as Deputy if required.