Lasting Powers of Attorney Solicitors
Specialist advice on preparing lasting powers of attorney to protect your health, welfare and financial decisions.
Appointing someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf.
Our experienced lasting powers of attorney solicitors, can help you plan for the unexpected, by appointing someone you trust to make decisions if unable to do so yourself.
Many people assume this is something only needed later in life. In reality, loss of capacity can arise unexpectedly through illness or accident. Without an LPA in place, those closest to you may face delay, cost and uncertainty at a time when clarity is most needed.
Putting an LPA in place is not about expecting the worst. It is about maintaining control over who makes decisions if circumstances change.
Types of lasting power of attorney
There are two types of lasting power of attorney. Many people choose to put both in place so that decisions about health, care and finances can all be managed if circumstances change.
Health and welfare LPA
This allows your attorneys to make decisions about:
- Medical treatment.
- Care arrangements.
- Living arrangements.
- Life-sustaining treatment (if you give that authority).
Property & financial affairs LPA
This allows your attorneys to manage:
- Bank accounts and bills.
- Investments & property
- Tax affairs.
- Day-to-day financial matters.
Additional planning for business owners
If you run a business or hold significant company responsibilities, a business lasting power of attorney may also be appropriate.
This allows specific individuals to manage business affairs if you lose capacity, without giving them authority over your personal finances. It can form an important part of business continuity planning.
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Getting a lasting power of attorney right.
Put an LPA in place early
If you lose capacity without an LPA, your family cannot automatically step in.
Instead, an application must be made to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This process can be lengthy, costly and restrictive compared to an LPA you have chosen yourself.
An LPA gives you control. It allows you to decide:
- Who acts for you.
- How decisions should be made.
- Whether attorneys must act together or independently.
- Any preferences or instructions you wish to include.
The most important step is simply putting an LPA in place. It does not need to be complicated, and for straightforward arrangements, we also offer a fixed fee LPA, to make the process clear and manageable.
Choose the right attorneys
The role of attorney carries real responsibility.
Attorneys must act in your best interests, manage finances carefully and follow the terms of the LPA. For some families, this is straightforward. In others, it requires careful thought.
We help clients consider:
- Whether to appoint one or more attorneys.
- Whether replacement attorneys are needed.
- How decisions should be structured.
- Whether guidance or restrictions should be included.
Complete and register the LPA properly
Lasting powers of attorney must meet strict legal requirements. Errors, missing information or unclear instructions can lead to the application being rejected by the Office of the Public Guardian or cause problems later.
An LPA cannot be used until it has been registered, so ensuring the documents are completed accurately and the registration process is handled correctly helps avoid delays if the arrangements are needed urgently.
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Specialist advice that protects your future.
A lasting power of attorney is one of the most important planning steps you can take.
LPAs are technical legal documents. Errors can lead to rejection, delay or unintended authority at the very moment the document is needed most. This is not simply about completing a form – it is about ensuring the right people can act, in the right way, if circumstances change.
Our private client solicitors advise individuals and families across London and the South East on lasting powers of attorney and wider estate planning. As a Lexcel-accredited law firm with a strong reputation for private client work, we focus on careful preparation and clear advice so the arrangements you put in place will work when they are needed.
Working with experienced private client solicitors helps ensure:
- The appropriate type of LPA is prepared.
- Attorneys are appointed carefully and clearly.
- Instructions and preferences are workable in practice.
- The document complies fully with legal requirements.
- Registration is handled properly and without unnecessary delay.
Meet our team
Putting the right protection in place is simple.
Planning ahead should feel clear, not overwhelming.
Whether you are putting arrangements in place for yourself or supporting a family member, we provide clear, supportive advice tailored to your circumstances.
Take the next step.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lasting power of attorney be changed after it is registered?
Once registered, an LPA cannot simply be amended. If changes are required, a new document may need to be prepared and registered. This is why careful consideration at the outset is important. Lasting powers of attorney solicitors can guide you through structuring the document correctly the first time.
Can I appoint more than one attorney?
Yes. You can appoint more than one attorney and decide whether they must act jointly, jointly and severally, or in a combination of both. You can also appoint replacement attorneys in case your original choice is unable to act. Careful drafting ensures the arrangement works in practice and avoids unnecessary complications later.
Do I really need a lasting power of attorney?
Yes, if you want control over who makes decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. Without an LPA in place, your family cannot automatically step in. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection for deputyship, which can be time-consuming and restrictive. A lasting power of attorney allows you to decide in advance who should act and how decisions should be made.
What happens if someone loses capacity without an LPA?
If no lasting power of attorney is in place and capacity is lost, a family member must apply to the Court of Protection for deputyship. This process is generally slower, more expensive and more restrictive than an LPA you have chosen yourself. Planning in advance avoids placing additional stress on your family at a difficult time.
What is the difference between health and welfare and property and financial affairs LPAs?
A health and welfare LPA covers medical treatment, care and living arrangements, and can only be used if you lose capacity. A property and financial affairs LPA covers money, property and financial decisions, and can be used with your permission while you still have capacity or if capacity is lost. Most people choose to put both in place for comprehensive protection.
Contact us
Getting in touch couldn’t be easier. Use our form or call us to speak to an experienced solicitor in confidence.
Please note we cannot offer legal aid.