What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

In an unpredictable world, it is reassuring to know that your wishes will be respected, even if you are unable to make decisions for yourself in the future. Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint someone you trust to make important decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so due to accident or ill health.

What Is an LPA?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables you to choose one or more people (known as Attorneys) to manage your affairs and make decisions about your wellbeing. By putting an LPA in place while you have mental capacity, you can be confident that your affairs will be handled according to your wishes. It is important to note that you cannot create an LPA once you have lost capacity, so it is wise to consider arranging one sooner rather than later.

There are different types of LPAs, depending on which aspects of your life you wish your Attorney to manage. For an LPA to be valid, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. When creating an LPA, you (the donor) must have full mental capacity, and a certificate provider—either someone who has known you personally for at least two years or a qualified professional—must confirm this. Certain family members and others are excluded from acting as certificate providers.

At Jordans Solicitors, we can guide you through every step of the process, from choosing your Attorney and selecting the right type of LPA, to ensuring the documentation is completed and registered correctly.

Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney

A Health and Welfare LPA allows your Attorney to make decisions about your personal health and care, but only if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. This can include:

• Your daily routine, such as washing, dressing, and eating
• Medical care and treatment
• Moving into a care home
• Decisions about life-sustaining treatment

Costs

For one person – Health & Care LPA

Costs: £375.00

VAT: £75.00

Court Fee*: £92.00

Total: £542.00

For a couple – Health & Care LPA

Costs: £700.00

VAT: £140.00

Court Fee*: £184.00

Total: £1024.00

*Court fees apply only if you are registering the Power of Attorney. Fee exemptions may be available in certain circumstances. Additional fees may apply for home visits or professional certificate providers.

If you would like to discuss setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney or have any questions about the process, please contact our team. We are here to help you plan for the future with confidence.