Lasting Power of Attorney.
What does 'Lasting Power Of Attorney' mean?
A power of attorney is a legal document that appoints someone – your 'attorney' – to make decisions on your behalf.
When/Why appoint a decision-maker?
There are a number of reasons why you may need someone to make decisions on your behalf.
It may be a temporary measure if you're going into hospital and need help with everyday financial tasks like paying your bills.
Or it may be part of long-term planning – if, for example, you've been diagnosed with dementia and want to plan ahead in case you lose the mental capacity to make your own decisions in the future.
When is a power of attorney useful, and why plan ahead?
There might come a time when you're no longer able to make or communicate your own decisions.
Having a power of attorney set up can make things much easier if and when that time comes – so it's worth considering now.