Lasting Powers of Attorney
The Value of a Professionally Prepared LPA
Without Lasting Powers of Attorney, your savings, investments, property, and utilities become inaccessible. This can create significant problems for your loved ones during an already stressful time. LPAs ensure your home continues to run smoothly and your medical care and treatment are overseen by people you choose if you lose capacity. At Nicola Sunderland TEP we will structure these important documents to deal with your variety of assets and unique family dynamic, ensuring they are robust and effective.
Why is having LPAs so important?
- Timing is essential – Once you lose capacity it is too late to put them in place. Your family will not be able to step in to manage things for you without getting the Court’s approval.
- Gives Legal Authority – Your spouse, partner or children do not automatically have the legal authority to access your bank accounts to pay your bills. If they do so after you have lost capacity, they will be acting fraudulently. Don’t put them at risk.
- Reduces Family Burden – Without an LPA, your family will face additional difficulties during an already challenging time. They won’t have the authority to manage your affairs or make decisions for you quickly and efficiently.
- Avoids Court Orders – Someone would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputy order which is expensive and time consuming. There are annual fees ongoing and you have no control over who applies for the Order.
- Trusted Attorneys – Having LPAs is a way for you to appoint the people you trust, so they can support you effectively and with as little stress as possible under these circumstances.
We will ensure your LPAs are effective
- Expertise and Knowledge – We discuss various scenarios you will not otherwise consider, helping you make informed decisions about appointing attorneys and defining their powers.
- Safeguarding – We advise on suitable preferences and instructions to safeguard your interests and reduce the chances of family disputes during stressful times.
- Efficient Registration – We manage the registration of your LPA with the OPG and rigorously check validated LPAs for completeness. We liaise with the OPG on your behalf if any issues arise – saving you valuable time and frustration.
- Support for Attorneys – We offer ongoing support and guidance for your attorneys, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and always act in your best interests. This affects you if they need to act for you.
- Experience – Our experience with these documents ensures all legal requirements are met, navigating the complexities of LPAs smoothly.
Peace of mind
Knowing your affairs will be handled according to your wishes if you become unable to manage them yourself gives you and your family certainty and peace of mind.
Property and Finances LPAs deal with:
- Managing your bank accounts, investments and pensions
- Paying your bills and dealing with problems with your utilities
- Income and tax matters
- Selling your home and managing property
It may be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission.
Health and Welfare LPAs deal with:
- Your medical treatment
- Your care and moving into a care home
- Your daily routine, e.g. eating, dressing and who you see
- Decisions about life-sustaining treatment
It can only be used when you’re unable to make your own decisions.
Doing LPAs yourself can lead to unintended consequences. Don’t put you or your family at risk with a DIY LPA.
Ineffective – DIY LPAs risk being invalid or ineffective, often only discovered when it’s too late. We help you avoid common mistakes, ensuring your LPA is valid and functions as intended. Companies and institutions can reject LPAs with errors, preventing the document from doing what you intended.
Time Consuming – Preparing LPAs yourself involves a lot of paperwork and can be time-consuming. We handle the entire process efficiently, saving you valuable time and ensuring everything is done correctly the first time. Mistakes can lead to delays and the need to start over.
Unexpected Costs – If the Office of the Public Guardian identifies errors in your application, you will need to pay the registration fee again. Even minor mistakes incur additional fees. At worst, an ineffective LPA could force your family to apply for a Deputy Order, which is costly, time-consuming, and complex, adding stress during an already difficult time.
Family Disputes – LPAs are often used during emotionally stressful times, which can strain family relationships. We help ensure your LPA is less likely to cause disputes by drafting specific guidance aimed at preventing avoidable conflicts.
Protecting you and your family’s financial future!
Providing an exceptional, personalised service, we bring a wealth of expertise and experience and are committed to providing the highest standards of professionalism.
With Nicola Sunderland TEP you are in safe hands.