A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people you trust (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.  This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and can’t make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).

The Donor must be 18 years or over and have mental capacity (the ability to make your own decisions) at the time of making the LPA.

There are two types of LPA.  There is a LPA which is designed to help or makes decisions on your behalf in relation to your health and welfare; and there is another LPA which is designed to help or makes decisions on your behalf in relation to property and financial affairs

You can choose to make one type or both.  First however, you need to choose who should take on this responsibility and whether there should be more than one “Attorney”

When choosing more than one “Attorney” you will then need to decide whether the decisions they make on your behalf can be made “separately” or “jointly and together.” In the case of the latter they both/all need to agree on the decision.  You can also choose to let them make some decisions ‘jointly’, and others ‘jointly and severally’.  Subject to the above the “Attorney” can be:  a friend, a relative, a professional or a spouse or partner.

An Attorney cannot be someone:

Under 18 years of age

Someone who is subject to a debt relief order

Or is bankrupt;

In brief you need to trust your Attorney completely as you are possibly handing over your assets and welfare to that person/s.

Our service

We take our time to speak with you and your Attorney so that we are sure that you and your Attorney understand the full implications of what it is you are both to enter into.  We will need to be satisfied that any decisions you make, you are able to make and those decisions are made of your own free will.

Our costs

Irrespective of time we spend with you, whether this is one hour or more, we will charge a Fixed fee of £350 plus vat plus registration fee for your LPA.  In the event that you enter into LPAs for both health and finance then we will reduce our fee to £500 plus vat and registration fee.

Can we help you?

If you would like to discuss any issues relating to your children’s living arrangements, then please do not hesitate to call Colleen on 01242 517949, 01792 892692 or 01933 220651. Alternatively, please email us at enquiries@ds-legal.co.uk. We’re here to help.