Planning for later in life and possibly needing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is something that few of us want to think about.
Our specialist lawyers can help you make plans before they are needed so you can be assured that your voice will be heard when it otherwise might not be. We can also help in planning for care fees to ensure you are looked after as you would wish.
Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney
An LPA gives another person (the attorney) the legal authority to make decisions about your personal welfare and property & finances in the event you are unable to do this yourself. We recommend that everyone creates LPAs to give them peace of mind and also the opportunity to make clear decisions about the choices that effect you and those closest to you.
There are two types of LPA, both of which we can create for you;
- Personal Welfare LPA – your Attorneys make decisions for you when you lack the mental capacity to make them yourself such as where you live and accessing your medical records
- Property & Finance LPA – your Attorneys can make any decisions that you yourself can make about your property and affairs such as buying or selling your property and managing your investments
Our Guide to LPAs gives you more detailed information about the different types of LPA and which might be right for you.
We can help you decide who to appoint as your Attorney; it could be a spouse, business partner or friend. Ultimately it should be someone you trust and are happy could act for you. We can act for you if you’d be more comfortable giving the authority to someone removed from your close circle of family and friends.
Planning for care provision and care fees
Our specialist lawyers can also offer legal advice on the practical considerations of long-term care which can be worrying for many people and their families. We can offer our legal experience to advise you on how to structure your assets to ensure you receive the care you may require whilst also preserving your estate for inheritance.
You’ll receive a long-term, pragmatic approach to estate planning and care fees funding from our specialist lawyers. We’ll clearly explain the financial and legal possibilities reflective of your individual situation and help you plan accordingly, including;
- Advice on Estate planning and structuring
- Explaining care fees funding options
- Considering lifetime mortgages and equity release
- Understanding pension and investment alternatives
“Nothing with any member of staff we came into contact with was too much a problem.”