Power Of Attorney Solicitors

Our power of attorney solicitors specialise in putting measures in place for clients wishing to ensure key decisions about their lives will be taken by their loved ones if they become incapable of making them for themselves. Praised by clients for our ‘professionalism’ and ‘helpfulness’, our power of attorney solicitors pride themselves on offering exceptional legal advice coupled with a truly personal service.

Reach out to Birch & Co’s specialist and supportive team today. Call us on 0191 284 5030 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

“I would definitely recommend you to others – Thank you very much” (Mr Laskey)

What Do Our Power Of Attorney Solicitors Do?

Our power of attorney solicitors prepare Lasting Powers of Attorneys on behalf of clients wishing to futureproof key decisions. We will help you decide on the arrangements you wish to implement and talk you through the process. We will prepare a document that accurately records your intentions and mirrors your wishes and take care of all the registration requirements.

What Is A Lasting Power Of Attorney?

A ‘lasting power of attorney’ (LPA) is a formal legal document that allows you to nominate individuals to act as your attorneys and make decisions relating to your health and finances if you become incapacitated and can’t make them for yourself.

What Can A Lasting Power Of Attorney Address?

There are two types of LPAs. You can put either or both in place. One type of LPA allows your attorneys to make crucial decisions relating to your health and welfare. As you might expect, this is referred to as a ‘Health and Welfare LPA’. The other type of LPA enables your attorneys to make essential decisions regarding your money and property. This is referred to as a ‘Property and Financial Affairs LPA’.

• What Can A Health And Welfare Lasting Power Of Attorney Address?

The matters that a Health and Welfare LPA can address are wide and varied. They range from the daily routine you like to follow, including what you like to eat and your personal hygiene preferences, to the medical treatment you are happy receiving.

If you intend for your attorneys to be empowered to make decisions relating to lifesaving medical interventions, such as a blood transfusion or resuscitation, you must clearly state so in the document. Should there be any doubt over this issue, the decision will be passed to your medical team.

• What Can A Property And Financial Affairs Lasting Power Of Attorney Address?

A Property and Financial Affairs LPA addresses financial issues. It enables you to ensure that any decisions relating to your financial affairs will be taken by people of your choosing if you can’t make them for yourself.

You can choose the decisions your attorneys can make. You might decide that you want them to take control of all your financial affairs, or you might choose to specify the decisions they are able to make.

Some of the matters that are frequently addressed in a Property and Financial Affairs LPA are:

Collecting in the donor’s income.
Managing the donor’s bank accounts.
Managing the donor’s investments.
Using the donor’s money to buy the things the donor needs, like clothes and cosmetics.
Using the donor’s money to but small gifts for the donor’s loved ones.
Managing the donor’s property.

When Do Lasting Powers Of Attorney Take Effect?

Your Health and Welfare LPA will only come into effect as and when you are incapable of making your own decisions. If the issue is temporary, you will take back control of your decisions when you recover.

Your Property and Financial Affairs LPA, on the other hand, will take effect as soon as it is registered, unless you state otherwise. Most donors want it to only come into play if and when they lose mental capacity. If those are your intentions, we will ensure the document clearly reflects them.

When Is The Best Time To Make Lasting Powers Of Attorney?

Most people don’t turn their minds to the need for Lasting Powers of Attorney until they are nearing old age or are diagnosed with a condition that may affect their cognitive functions. However, nobody knows what lies in store, or when something might happen that affects our ability to make decisions for ourselves. Accordingly, the best time to make Lasting Powers of Attorney is now. Whilst you hopefully won’t have cause to need them for some time, putting them in place will give you peace of mind that your loved ones can take control of vital decisions as and when they need to.

If you would like to discuss future planning with solicitors who are experts in the field, our power of attorney solicitors are on hand to help. We will take the time to get to know you and understand your concerns and priorities. We will advise you on the process involved in making Lasting Powers of Attorney and ensure you are happy with the arrangements before registering the documents with the Office of the Public Guardian.

Reach out to Birch & Co’s specialist and supportive team today. Call us on 0191 284 5030 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.

“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)