A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document appointing one or more attorneys to make decisions on your behalf.

If, at some time in the future, you lose your mental capacity, your attorneys will be able to look after matters for you at a time when you are unable to do so.

There are two types of LPA:

• A property and affairs LPA relates to financial matters and your property. This can be used by your attorneys at any time once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
• A personal welfare LPA relates to personal matters, such as consenting to medical treatment or deciding where you should live. Again, this must be registered with the OPG before use but your attorneys can only act if you are incapable of doing so yourself.

We can advise on preparation of powers of attorney and the registration process. Both forms of LPA can be tailored to your wishes. We can help to prepare a document which suits your circumstances.