A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity (the ability to make your own decisions) when you make your LPA.You do not need to live in the UK or be a British citizen.This guide is also available
in Welsh (Cymraeg).There are 2 types of LPA:
- health and welfare
- property and financial affairs
You can choose to make one type or both.There’s a different process
in Scotland and
Northern Ireland.How to make a lasting power of attorney
- Choose your attorney (you can have more than one).
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- Fill in the forms to appoint them as an attorney.
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- Register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (this will take 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application).
It costs £82 to register an LPA unless you get a
reduction or exemption.