It is important to plan ahead by putting in place Powers of Attorney. These can give you peace of mind that someone you trust will look after your affairs if you can’t. At Clarke Mairs we take time to understand your wishes, discuss the options, and put in place Powers of Attorney that are right for you.

DID YOU KNOW

  • You can put in place both Lasting Powers of Attorney and General Powers of Attorney.
    • There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
    • A Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs. This allows someone to manage your finances including paying your bills, collecting your income and benefits and selling your home.
  • A Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare. This allows someone to manage your health and welfare including where you live, your day-to-day care, and consenting or refusing medical examination and treatment on your behalf.
  • General Powers of Attorney allow family, friends and professionals to look after your finances only. Unlike Lasting Powers, they can only be used when you have capacity. They are useful if you travel a lot, or in the interim whilst Lasting Powers of Attorney are being registered with the Public Guardian.
  • There are lots of considerations when putting in place Powers of Attorney: Who should I pick as my primary attorneys?
    Should I select replacement attorneys? How should my attorneys act together? When and how should I include guidance and instructions for my attorneys? Should I also put in place an Advance Decision? We can advise you.
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney are for anyone 18 or over. No one knows at what time something may happen to them. In the UK someone develops dementia every three minutes and someone suffers a stroke every five minutes.
  • Should you lose capacity and not have in place Lasting Powers of Attorney your spouse may not be able to manage your affairs. They will not have the legal authority to do so.
  • Without a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare, many families find that decisions about their spouse, child or parent are left to a social worker, medical professionals or even the court. There is a risk that families will have little or no influence even if they believe it is not what the individual would have wanted.
  • Without a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs, if you lost capacity, a person would have to undertake a more costly and time consuming process to be become your deputy. The person/s appointed may not be your preferred choice.
  • Enduring Powers of Attorney created before October 2007 are still valid. These must be registered with the Public Guardian when someone is or is becoming mentally incapable. We can help with this registration process.

 

‘A dementia-friendly community is a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported and confident they can contribute to community life.’

Team Involved