Most people don’t know what a Lasting Power of Attorney is, or realise that they can have one if they are aged 18 or over and of sound mind. This is because most people associate LPAs with older people. But LPAs are worth putting in place at any stage as an adult, if you want to nominate your choice of attorney to make decisions about your finances and health.
Here are five tips to consider before you progress with your plans to make an LPA.
Plan ahead
Making an LPA online at a specialist site like https://powerofattorneyonline.co.uk/ is smooth and easy, but you need around 8-10 weeks for the OPA to register it. Begin the conversation early and make sure everyone is comfortable having a productive conversation. Bring up some fundamental information and let everyone know the key facts and purpose of an LPA.
Aim for an open conversation
It’s helpful to allow your close family space and time to ask questions and express their feelings. Consider all the choices around your health, welfare and finances. These topics can bring up emotions of fear and anxiety, so you may need to go slowly.
Respect people’s wishes
Friends and family may not want to talk about LPAs and the importance of making one. However, the choice of your appointed attorney is yours, so long as they consent. It might be helpful to have an early conversation with the person you think best placed to act as your representative, or attorney.
Start talking early
Conversations about LPAs get more difficult the longer you leave them. Remember that you can only make an LPA if you have full mental capacity. You can make an LPA at any stage as an adult, from age 18 onward, and keep it in place permanently if you wish.
Find out as much as you can
Information about LPAs can be overwhelming when people are new to the topic and worried. Make sure you know where to find further sources of trusted information that they can refer to when they are ready.
