Setting Up A Lasting Power Of Attorney: How Bennett Griffin Can Guide You Through The Process
Our Lasting Powers Of Attorney Process will help you make a new Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPA’).
For some, making LPA’s can be a daunting experience but we are happy to work with you.
That’s why when you choose to work with Bennett Griffin our dedicated specialists can offer advice and support every step of the way.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power Of Attorney is a legal document which creates a special power of attorney called an LPA.
It allows you to choose someone (the Attorney(s)) that you trust to make decisions on your behalf at a time in the future when you either lack the mental capacity or no longer wish to make those decisions yourselves.
The document remains effective until you die or if you decide to revoke your LPA(s).
There are two types of LPAs, one for property and financial affairs and one for personal welfare.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This LPA allows you to appoint Attorney(s) to manage your property and finances.
This may be needed for practical reasons e.g. you’re out of the country for a long period of time, or you fall ill.
Health and Welfare LPA
This LPA allows you to appoint Attorney(s) to make decisions on your behalf about your health and welfare.
It can only be used once it has been registered and when you lack the capacity to make decisions yourself, unlike the property LPA, which can be used once registered.
This may be needed for giving or refusing consent to particular types of health care, such as treatment and life-sustaining treatment; Also, if you need to move into a residential home and choosing the right care home for you.
Setting Up A Lasting Power Of Attorney: Our Process Explained
We aim to make the experience of making LPAs as effortless as possible.
No one likes to discuss the inevitable, but with our expertise, we will guide you and tailor what your needs are, and you will gain peace of mind knowing that we will work with you.
Initial Contact
You can contact our Wills Trusts and Probate Services team either by telephone or email to arrange a convenient appointment.
We will write to you to confirm your appointment and we will enclose our LPA Guide to assist you together with our LPA Questionnaire for basic details.
First Meeting
This will be your opportunity to provide us with your wishes and our lawyer will guide you with your options and confirm our charges.
Following the meeting we will draft your LPA(s) and send it to you within 7-10 working days.
Once you receive the draft LPA(s) you will need to check your details and provide us with any further information as requested. We will then arrange a convenient appointment to meet again.
Follow-Up Meeting
We will read through your LPA(s) at our next meeting and ensure it meets your wishes.
You will then sign your LPA(s), and we can act as your witness and Certificate Provider if you have not appointed this firm as your Attorney.
Following our meeting, we will write to your Attorneys and send them your LPA(s) to sign.
Once all your Attorneys have signed the LPA(s) we will forward it to the Office of the Public Guardian (‘OPG’) for registration.
The OPG will write to both you and your Attorneys to confirm they have received your LPA(s).
There is a four-week waiting period when the OPG wait to see if there is any reason for your LPA(s) not to be registered.
Once this period has expired and no objections are received, the OPG register your LPA(s). We will place your original LPA(s) in our safe storage facility, free of charge, and forward to you a copy.
Summary
At Bennett Griffin, we know how important Lasting Powers Of Attorney can be.
We also appreciate the process can initially seem daunting. But our expert team will be able to guide you every step of the way, happy to answer any questions that you may have.
As well as LPAs, we also specialise in Wills and provide tailored advice.
Setting Up A Lasting Power Of Attorney With Bennett Griffin
Our specialist team would be very happy to answer any questions you might have about LPAs
For further information, you can contact us by email or by calling 01903 229999.