25 May 2017
As the government has recently reduced the application fees in respect of Lasting Power of Attorneys, there is even less of a reason not to have one. 
Many people ask why should they have a Lasting Power of Attorney now and not wait until they get older or when they are unable to deal with things easily. The answer is simple – if you have a registered Lasting Power of Attorney then you can feel safe and secure in the knowledge that no matter what happens to you in the future, there will be someone who will be able to help you straightaway – officially.
If you don’t have a LPA and something unexpected happens which means you are unable to make a Lasting Power of Attorney, then your family would have to consider applying to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order so that they could deal with your affairs. This is not only more expensive (with ongoing costs) but also the procedure is not quick.
Just because you have a registered Lasting Power of Attorney does not mean it has to be used straightaway, it can just wait until such time as it is needed. This is why I believe Lasting Power of Attorneys are a “Stitch in Time”. If you are thinking of doing a Lasting Power of Attorney, do it now and do not leave it to chance that you will be able to do it in the future. After all, even though you take out house or car insurance, you always hope you never need it.
If you wish to discuss the Lasting Power of Attorneys further – please call one of our offices for a free half hour appointment.
