Giving someone power of attorney

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the 'donor') appoint one or more people (known as 'attorneys') to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.

This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you 'lack mental capacity').

You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity (the ability to make your own decisions) when you make your LPA.

You do not need to live in the UK or be a British citizen.

There are 2 types of LPA:

• health and welfare
• property and financial affairs

You can choose to make one type or both.

How to make a lasting power of attorney

1. Choose your attorney (you can have more than one).
2. Fill in the forms to appoint them as an attorney.
3. Register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (this can take up to 20 weeks).

You can cancel your LPA if you no longer need it or want to make a new one.

Health and welfare lasting power of attorney

Use this LPA to give an attorney the power to make decisions about things like:

• your daily routine, for example washing, dressing, eating
• medical care
• moving into a care home
• life-sustaining treatment

It can only be used when you're unable to make your own decisions.

Property and financial affairs lasting power of attorney

Use this LPA to give an attorney the power to make decisions about money and property for you, for example:

• managing a bank or building society account
• paying bills
• collecting benefits or a pension
• selling your home

It can be used as soon as it's registered, with your permission.

Help deciding if you should make a lasting power of attorney

Contact the Office of the Public Guardian if you need help.

Email customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk or call 0300 456 0300

Continue reading 

• Choose your attorney
• Make a lasting power of attorney
• Register a lasting power of attorney
• Certify a copy of a lasting power of attorney
• Changes you need to report
• Removing an attorney
• End your lasting power of attorney

Find out more about power of attorney on GOV.UK.

This page is based on content that originated from GOV.UK (adapted)
 

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This page was last updated on 22 November 2022