A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people — known as attorneys — to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to make them yourself. Without one, your family may face a lengthy and expensive court process to manage your affairs if you become incapacitated.
The Two Types of LPA
There are two types: a Property and Financial Affairs LPA (managing bank accounts, bills, property) and a Health and Welfare LPA (medical treatment, care arrangements, day-to-day welfare). You can make one or both types.
You must have mental capacity to make an LPA. If you wait until you have been diagnosed with dementia or another condition affecting your capacity, it may be too late to make a valid LPA.