top of page
Free Legal Advice Newsletter

FREE LEGAL ADVICE 

Our free newsletter blog gives you access to expert Legal Advice that'll empower you to make informed financial decisions for you and your family's future.

BLOG CATEGORIES

Updated: Jan 21



How a Financial Affairs Power Of Attorney Ensures Continuity


A Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is an essential tool for anyone who has assets. It ensures your business operation continue to run smoothly, minimizes family conflicts and allows you to control financial decisions even if you become incapacitated, by allowing you to legally appoint an attorney (someone you trust) to be your representative.


Legal Help Services Limited Financial Affairs LPA
Grant a loved one the POWER to make decision on your behalf.

Keeping Control of Financial Assets With A Financial Affairs LPA


Lasting Power of Attorney forms (LPA's) are legal document that allows you to appoint someone your trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. There are three types: a Property and Financial Affairs LPA for financial decisions, a Health and Welfare Power of Attorney for health-related decisions and an Ordinary Power of Attorney (OPA), which limits the matters your appointed attorney can deal with. In this blog we will be focusing on the Financial Affairs Power of Attorney form and the benefits it provides.


Obtaining an Financial POA Document Before Loss of Capacity


Getting a Financial LPA before any loss of capacity is crucial because it ensures that your financial affairs are managed by a loved one(s) if you're no longer able to make decisions yourself. Without it, your appointed attorney and loved ones may face legal hurdles. It'll be difficult for them to access your finances to pay bills, take care of your needs, control your business operations and manage your investments.


"A Financial Affairs Power of Attorney isn't just for the elderly. It's for decision makers, bread winners, business entrepreneurs, property owners and investors” says Martin Lewis (the UK most notable financial expert).

5 Whys You Can Loose Capacity and Require a Power of Attorney


In the UK, the most common reasons someone might become incapacitated and require a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) include:


  • Dementia - Progressive conditions like Alzheimer's disease can severely impair decision-making abilities.

  • Stroke - A stroke can lead to significant cognitive or physical impairments, affecting the ability to manage financial matters.

  • Traumatic Brain Injury - Accidents causing severe head injuries can result in long-term or permanent incapacity.

  • Mental Health Disorders - Conditions such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia can sometimes impair judgment and decision-making.

  • Disease or Cancer - Disease can affect physical abilities, cognitivist and communication, while advanced stages of cancer associated with brain metastasis, can affect mental capacity.


 

The Benefits of Having a Property and Financial Affairs LPA


With a Financial Affairs LPA, your chosen attorney can manage all your financial matters, ensuring your bills are paid and your investments managed in the manner you desire. They'll have your authority to access your bank accounts, withdraw funds and make decisions that align with your best interests.


Ensuring Business Continuity

A Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney ensures that your business continues to run smoothly, even if you are unable to manage it yourself.


  • Uninterrupted Operations: Appointing a trusted individual to make financial decisions prevents business disruptions.

  • Financial Management: Your appointed attorney can manage payroll, pay bills, and handle transactions.

  • Strategic Decision-Making: Allows for important decisions to be made without delay, ensuring the business stays on track. 


Avoiding Family Disputes

Family disputes over business matters can be stressful and damaging. This durable Power of Attorney helps to avoid these conflicts by clearly designating decision-making authority.


  • Clear Authority: Designates a specific person to handle financial matters, reducing ambiguity.

  • Conflict Reduction: Minimizes the potential for family disagreements over business decisions.

  • Peace of Mind: Provides reassurance to all parties involved, knowing that a trusted individual is in charge.


Maintain Control Over Financial Decisions

A Power of Attorney for Finances allows you to retain control over your business and financial decisions even if you become incapacitated.


  • Financial Planning: Enables you to outline how you want your financial matters handled.

  • Empowerment: Allows you to choose who will make decisions on your behalf, ensuring your wishes are followed.

  • Flexibility: Can be customized to fit your specific business needs and preferences.


Gain Peace of Mind With an Estate Plan


A Legal Help Services Estate plan is perfect financial security plan for anyone who is property, financial responsibilities, family or foreseeable health issues. They include your Last Will and Testament, both Healthcare and Financial Affairs LPA's and a Home Protection Trust. With our estate plan, you can put your wishes in writing, keep control of your healthcare choices and financial affairs in case of incapacitation, protect from loosing your home to care home fees, secure fund and investment, ensure loved one receive their inheritance and shelter your family from facing the daunting probate process.


 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are important Power of Attorney questions with answers you should know.

What are the differences between a Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA?

What happens if I lose mental capacity without an LPA in place?

Who should I appoint as my attorney for a Lasting Power of Attorney?

How do I apply for a Lasting Power of Attorney in the UK?


Conclusion


Don’t wait for an emergency to secure your financial interests, contact Legal Help Services today to get a Property and Financial Affairs Power of Attorney in place .


 


Updated: Sep 11, 2023

Ensure Your Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare is kept in order by using Power of Attorney Forms


In the realm of estate planning, there is a responsibility that demands our immediate attention which is establishing Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare Power of Attorney forms. Regardless of our assets or wealth, understanding the significance of these legal instruments and the protection they offer is crucial. Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore the purpose of Living Wills and emphasize the criticality of Power of Attorney, while learning how to plan for your medical and financial future.


Table of Contents

Lasting Power of Attorney Forms

Health and Welfare LPA

Property and Financial Affairs LPA

Living Will (Advance Directives)

Consequences

Advance Care Planning

LPA Certificate Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Revoking A Power of Attorney

In Conclusion

Lasting Power of Attorney Forms


A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a crucial legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust (an attorney) to make decisions on your behalf in case you become unable to do so due to illness or other circumstances. There are two main types: Health and Welfare LPAs, which cover medical and personal decisions, and Property and Financial Affairs LPAs, which handle financial matters. LPAs ensure your wishes are respected, making them a vital part of estate planning.

Legal Help Services Limited Medical and Financial Power of Attorney Documentation
Ensuring Your Medical and Financial Wishes Are Executed


Health and Welfare LPA


Life often throws unexpected challenges our way, rendering us incapable of making vital medical decisions. In those moments, having a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney becomes paramount. This powerful document appoints a trusted individual as our advocate, who’ll make thoughtful healthcare decisions on your behalf, when we are unable to do so. Without this safeguard, we risk entrusting our well-being to strangers or government policies that may cause an undesirable medical procedure being performed.


Property and Financial Affairs LPA


Let's now delve into the intricate realm of financial matters. Picture a scenario where complex financial challenges arise, incapacitating us from managing our own affairs. Who will guide us and protect our assets? Enter the Financial Affairs Power of Attorney, a formidable ally in times of crisis. By designating a reliable person to oversee our finances, pay bills, and make critical decisions, we fortify ourselves against unforeseen circumstances. Without this shield, our hard-earned wealth could fall prey to uncontrollable forces.


"A lasting power of attorney provides comfort and reassurance to millions of people that decisions will be made in their best interests should they lose capacity" – Justice Minister, Tom Pursglove MP

Living Will


Additionally, within estate planning, we encounter Living Wills—a crucial component of preserving our wishes and finding peace of mind. These documents provide explicit instructions about our medical treatment preferences, resuscitation wishes, and end-of-life decisions. A Living Will becomes our voice in times of incapacitation, enabling our loved ones to honour our desires without the burden of uncertainty. Without such guidance, our family members may endure distressing turmoil when interpreting our intentions.


Consequences


Now, pause for a moment and reflect on the consequences of neglecting these essential documents. Without Medical and Financial Power of Attorney, we risk being at the mercy of estranged relatives or court-appointed guardians, potentially facing medical decisions that don't align with our wishes. Moreover, our wealth and assets may become entangled inarduous legal battles, causing our loved ones unnecessary turmoil while fighting for what is rightfully theirs



Advance Care Planning


To safeguard our future and pave the way for tranquillity, action must be taken without delay. It is imperative that we obtain the services of Legal Help Services Limited, who can assist in procuring the necessary Medical and Financial Power of Attorney documentation. Our expertise will navigate you through the intricacies of estate planning, ensuring our health, finances, and peace of mind remains protected.


LPA Certificate Provider


To safeguard our future and pave the way for tranquillity, action must be taken without delay. It is imperative that we obtain the services of Lasting Power of Attorney certificate provider who can assist in procuring the necessary Health and Welfare and Financial Affairs Power of Attorney forms. Our expertise at Legal Help Services Limited will navigate you through the intricacies of advance care planning, ensuring your health and financial affairs are in order no matter what happen.


Frequently Asked Questions


Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) replaced Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in 2007 in England and Wales. While EPAs only covered financial matters, LPAs are more comprehensive. Health and Welfare LPAs let you choose decisions about your medical care, while Property and Financial Affairs LPAs handle money and assets. LPAs are like modern superheroes, offering more protection.

You can obtain power of attorney forms from Legal Help Services Limited. We can assist in providing and filling out the necessary LPA forms whilst guiding you through the process.


A Legal Help Services Representative promoting a buy 2 get a free Will and LPA deal
Buy both Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare LPAs and get a Free Will Writing

No, a power of attorney cannot change your Will. Wills and LPAs serve different purposes. Your Will outlines what happens after your passing, while a power of attorney deals with decisions when you're alive but unable to make them. They don't alter each other's storyline.

Witnesses for a power of attorney should be competent adults who are not involved in the document. Typically, friends, family members, or colleagues can act as witnesses.

es, the authority granted by a power of attorney ends at the individual's death. Afterward, the executor or administrator of their estate takes over the responsibilities, managing affairs and assets according to the Will or the laws of intestacy if no Will exists.


Revoking a Power of Attorney (LPA) is a significant decision that should be done carefully and in compliance with legal requirements. Get legal advice and assistance from the professionals at Legal Help Services Limited to ensure the process is executed correctly. Below is a step-by-step guide;

  1. Create a Revocation Document

  2. Notify Your Attorney-in-Fact

  3. Provide copies of the revocation document to relevant parties

  4. Consult with the legal advisors at Legal Help Services Limited to ensure all legal requirements are met

  5. File the Revocation

  6. Update Relevant Parties

  7. Create a New LPA (If Needed)


In Conclusion


In conclusion, the significance of these legal instruments cannot be overstated. By securing our health, finances, and assets through Power of Attorney, we lay the foundation for a prosperous and worry-free future. Let us embrace this endeavour with wisdom and foresight, empowering ourselves to face life's uncertainties with confidence. Unleash the Power of Attorney and embark on a transformative journey to secure your legacy. Contact Legal Help Services Limited today!


bottom of page