At Birch & Co, we understand that legal costs can be a concern for many clients. That’s why, when they’re making plans for their future, so many people are keen to find the answer to ‘How much does a solicitor charge for power of attorney?’
Our firm ethos is to provide our clients with first-class legal advice and support at highly competitive rates. If you are considering making Lasting Powers of Attorney, our wills and probate team are ideally placed to assist. We have an outstanding reputation for coupling exceptional legal expertise with a human touch and will ensure your matter is completed as quickly and cost-efficiently as possible.
Reach out to Birch & Co’s specialist and supportive team today. Call us on 0191 284 5030 or complete a Free Online Enquiry now to get a bespoke fixed price estimate.
“Not in any way intimidating. Their positive attitude takes the stress out of situations.” (Ms A Scott)
What Are Lasting Powers Of Attorney?
We all make hundreds of decisions each day, from what shampoo we’d like to use to what we’d like to wear and what we fancy for breakfast. Sometimes, we are called on to make more serious decisions, such as whether to try a specific medical treatment or accept lifesaving medical intervention. Most of us also manage our own finances, choosing how we spend our money and what investments to make.
As disconcerting as it can be to think about, there may come a time when we are unable to make these and other decisions for ourselves. This might be due to getting older, developing a condition that affects our brain’s functions, such as dementia, or being involved in a serious accident.
Lasting Powers of Attorneys, or ‘LPAs’, enable the maker, called the ‘donor’, to make arrangements to deal with any loss of capacity when they are still able to make reasoned decisions for themselves. By choosing people they know and trust to make decisions on their behalf, the donor gains peace of mind that their interests will be protected if they lose the capacity to manage their own affairs.
There are two separate types of Lasting Powers of Attorney. One governs decisions relating to the donor’s health and welfare and is called a ‘Health and Welfare LPA’. The other governs decisions relating to the donor’s financial affairs and is called a ‘Property and Financial Affairs LPA.’
Do You Need A Solicitor For A Lasting Power Of Attorney?
There is no legal obligation to take legal advice when making a Lasting Power of Attorney. However, given that the people you choose to act as your attorneys will assume considerable amounts of power over crucial aspects of your life, it’s important to make the right decision and make sure that your Lasting Powers of Attorney set out your wishes clearly and unequivocally. Seeking specialist legal advice from wills and probate solicitors like the ones at Birch & Co will ensure your documents provide clarity for your loved ones and adequately protect your wishes.
How Much Does A Solicitor Charge For Power Of Attorney?
Instructing a solicitor to prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney on your behalf will incur legal fees. However, those fees are usually modest, and most clients consider them a small price to pay for peace of mind that everything is in order.
Furthermore, if you don’t put effective Lasting Powers of Attorney in place and subsequently lose the capacity to make your own decisions, you have no control over who will make them on your behalf. The only way your loved ones would be eligible to have a say in issues such as your medical care and financial affairs is by applying to Court to become a ‘deputy’. They will incur fees for doing so and must pay an annual fee to retain their powers. Moreover, the powers they receive as a deputy will be less extensive than if you had appointed them to act as your attorney.
How much your solicitor charges for a Lasting Power of Attorney will depend on the extent of the advice you require and the complexity of your wishes. We usually charge on an hourly basis, so your legal fees will hinge on how long it takes us to complete your matter.
We have decades of experience in assisting clients complete Lasting Powers of Attorney, so we are able to complete the relevant tasks swiftly and without issue. Furthermore, our hourly rates are incredibly competitive, so when you instruct us, you can be confident that you will receive excellent value for money.
We offer a free, no-obligation quote at the start of every matter, so you know where you stand before we begin work. We’ll answer any questions you have about fees quickly and comprehensively and provide breakdown of the work we have undertaken for you at every stage.
Reach out to Birch & Co’s specialist and supportive team today. Call us on 0191 284 5030 or complete a Free Online Enquiry now to get a bespoke fixed price estimate.
“I cannot fault the professionalism and helpfulness throughout what has been a difficult time. I would not hesitate to use your services again and would recommend you to others.” (Mrs Surtees)
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