In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes. Strokes and serious accidents happen all too often as well. Our futures are uncertain. That’s why it’s vital to plan in case you become unable to make decisions. We all hope this never happens to us. Just thinking about what would happen if our faculties desert us is uncomfortable, but it’s essential to be prepared. It’s not just something for the elderly.
You may think that a partner or family member, can make important decisions for you if you're unable to – for example, access your money to pay for your care - but that's not the case. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) enables a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. Without one, loved ones would need to apply through court, which can be a long and costly course. Protego-te are leading experts in LPAs. We make the process as easy as possible for you and ensure your wishes are reflected accurately.
Get in touch using the form opposite and one of our LPA experts will contact you to give you more information and answer any questions you might have.
If you are unable to make decisions in the future, the trusted person you choose will make them for you.
An LPA will make things easier for your family and friends in the future as they'll be certain of your wishes.
An LPA is legally binding and therefore nobody can ignore it.
Without an LPA, it will more expensive and time-consuming for your family to get the legal authority to act on your behalf.
Leading LPA specialists will guide you through the entire process. We'll explain all the legal jargon in plain English.
We will help your nominated attorney/s with associated paperwork.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal tool that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf when you cannot. While a Will ensures your wishes are carried out after you are gone an LPA protects you and your interests while you are alive. Sadly, there may come a time when you are unable to manage your affairs because of a severe accident, dementia or other illness that affects your mental or physical health. An LPA gives you more control about how decisions that affect your future are made.
You can only put an LPA in place when you are capable of understanding the document. If you don’t have the required legal capacity, you are not permitted to enter into one and nobody else can on your behalf.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorneys. A Health and Welfare LPA allows you to give someone you trust the legal permission to make decisions covering your health and welfare such as your diet, where you live and consent covering medical treatments and examinations.
A Financial Affairs LPA allows the person you trust to help you with your finances such as the running of your bank accounts, claiming and receiving pensions, benefits and allowances, making investments and buying and selling your home.
Your attorney/s will have full power to act on your behalf unless you choose to restrict some of their powers.
If you lose your mental faculties because of illness or a serious accident, your family does not automatically have the legal right to take over your affairs. If you do not have an LPA in place, they may have to go to the Court of Protection who will appoint a Deputy to manage your affairs on your behalf. You will not be able to choose your attorney and selecting one can be lengthy and expensive. The entire experience can be distressing and intrusive for families. It is therefore much better to plan ahead and set up an LPA while you still can.
LPAs are not just for the elderly. Serious mental and physical incapacity can hit anyone at any time. If you are over the age of 18 and have the mental capacity to do so, you can set up an LPA and appoint someone who can make decisions for you in the future.
An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) was the forerunner to the LPA and they are no longer being created. However, if you made an EPA before October 2007, it can still be used.
If you have an EPA and still have your full mental capacity, you can decide to keep it or replace it with a Lasting Power of Attorney. We can help you change your EPA for an LPA with a minimum of fuss.
Have you safeguarded your family’s future? More than 50% of UK adults don't have a will. Do you? If not, when you die, you risk your money, property and possessions being shared out according to the law of the land, rather than your wishes.
At Protego-te, we believe everyone should have a will. By law it ensures your property and possessions go to the people or organisations you care about. We provide professional advice on wills. With proper planning and a professionally written will by our legal team, you can ensure your wishes are carried out. This is how to help safeguard your family’s future.
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