What this LPA covers
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA lets you appoint attorneys to deal with specified financial matters on your behalf. The exact authority depends on the document and any instructions or preferences included.
- Managing bank and building-society accounts.
- Paying household bills and regular expenses.
- Dealing with pensions or benefits.
- Managing investments where appropriate.
- Handling property matters within the attorney’s powers.
Choosing attorneys
Attorneys should be people you trust to make careful financial decisions, keep proper records and act in your best interests. You can appoint more than one attorney and specify how they are to act.
Why make the LPA before it is needed?
An LPA must be made while the donor has the required mental capacity. If capacity has already been lost and no valid LPA exists, family members may need to consider a Court of Protection application instead.
Registration
The LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. Registration takes time, which is another reason not to leave the process until a crisis.
Frequently asked questions
What can a Property and Financial Affairs attorney do?
Subject to the LPA terms, an attorney may be able to deal with bank accounts, bills, benefits, property and other financial matters on the donor’s behalf.
Can this LPA be used while I still have capacity?
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can generally be used with the donor’s permission once it has been registered, depending on how it has been completed.
Can my attorney sell my house?
An attorney may have powers to deal with property, but they must act within the LPA, follow their legal duties and act in the donor’s best interests.
Tell us what you want to achieve
You do not need to know the name of the legal document or trust before speaking to us. Explain the family, property or planning issue and we can discuss the relevant options.