An LPA is designed to give someone you trust the ability to step in when you need help. There are a few specific points where it stops being valid. It’s worth your while understanding now rather than finding out at the worst possible moment.
It ends when the donor dies
This is the simplest rule, and it’s non-negotiable. As soon as the person who made the LPA dies, it automatically ends. From that point, attorneys don’t have any authority at all, even if they’ve been managing things for years.
It can end if an attorney can’t act
An LPA can also stop working if an attorney dies, loses their mental capacity, or decides that they don’t want the responsibility anymore. If there’s only one attorney named, that can bring the whole arrangement to an end. This is why people setting things up via an LPA online are often advised to name replacement attorneys. Here, you can read more about replacement attorneys.
It may never start if it isn’t registered in time
An LPA has to be registered before it can be used. If the donor loses mental capacity before registration is complete, the LPA becomes invalid. This is why lots of people choose to complete and register an https://powerofattorneyonline.co.uk/blog/when-should-a-lasting-power-of-attorney-be-updated-or-reviewed/ sooner rather than later.
It can be cancelled or stopped by the court
As long as the donor still has capacity, they can cancel their LPA at any time. In more serious situations, the court can also step in and end an LPA if an attorney isn’t acting properly.
