Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney in October 2007 under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The main difference between the two is that when a person (donor) has given Lasting Powers of Attorney to a representative (attorney), they can manage matters of personal welfare as well as property and financial affairs. So, if the donor becomes mentally incapacitated due to accident, illness or old age, the attorney can make decisions regarding the person’s care.
Lasting Powers of Attorney must be drawn up while the donor still has mental capacity to make such a decision and they have to be registered with The Office of the Public Guardian.
The drawing up of Lasting Powers of Attorney is a matter which requires serious consideration and, as such, may require the advice of an experienced solicitor who can assist in the presentation of a comprehensive document which will cover all eventualities for the donor and ensure that their wishes are carried out to the fullest capacity.
If a person loses the ability to make decisions for him or herself, it may fall to a stranger, appointed by the state, to decide where and how they should be cared for and this can be upsetting for relatives and friends and not what the donor would have wanted at all. To avoid such a circumstance a decision regarding Lasting Powers of Attorney should be made at the earliest convenience, especially if an estate is large or the donor has specific wishes for their future care.
In all instances, however, the donor will be protected through the Office of the Public Guardian which can intervene on behalf of people who do not have the mental capacity to make their own decisions and, if an attorney is suspected of not behaving in the best interests of a donor, its staff will investigate and act upon any irregularities.
If you would like to find out more about drawing up Lasting Powers of Attorney, the solicitors at George Ide LLP have many years of experience in helping people in this way.
To discuss ways to protect your welfare in the case of mental incapacity, please call our offices in Chichester and Bognor Regis and we will be happy to help. Alternatively, to find out more about our team, please click on the solicitor profiles featured on this page.
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For further information about any of our services or to book a no-obligation consultation, call us on 01243 786668 or email directly at info@georgeide.co.uk.
Client Testimonials
Dear Ursula
I would like to thank you & the team at George Ide LLP for the efficient & sensitive management of Mum’s estate which has made a huge difference to both my sister & I after her death.
Many thanks & Kind regards
Thank you for your email advising me of the situation. It’s a great relief to know that this is finalised as **** parents are continuing to deteriorate. I’m very grateful to you for the caring and efficient way you dealt with **** herself and for your advice generally and the scale of your fees. I’m glad that we were recommended to you and I will pass on my own recommendations too.
I want to take this opportunity to thank you all at George Ide so much, for all the help and support you have given to the family down the years and in particular of course whilst acting for us as professional executor. This is an emotional period for all families I’m sure. It has been no different for us. You have handled everything with consummate professionalism throughout and especially so in our more fractious moments.
Dear Ursula. It was never going to be easy dealing with the personal effects of a loved one, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all your dedicated staff for the kind , thoughtful and professional way you have dealt with all aspects of the estate and helping to bring closure for myself and my family in a timely manner.
Once again , thank you.
Dear Ursula. Many thanks for your fine work in handling my Dad’s estate. My Mother and I feel very fortunate to have been so well looked after, and, as well as being thorough, you have been especially kind in the manner in which you spoke with my mother. I feel confident that I can provide for my Mum’s every need which is just as my father would have wished.
I am happy for you to continue finalising the Estate .
Many thanks and best wishes to you all, you have made my Sister and my life so much easier with your efficiency.
It has been an emotional time and somewhat chaotic for us both and your company have shown us great kindness and sensitivity throughout and for this we will always be grateful.
Best wishes
I would like to thank Ursula, Jill and Mr Enticott for all your hard work. You did a wonderful job.
I found the service really professional and I was glad I instructed George Ide.
I have worked with George Ide LLP for many years, initially as a support worker but now as a Registered Manager. I have found their brain injury
team, more specifically Paul Fretwell, to be highly efficient, supportive and effective when working alongside me with a very challenging group of clients. Paul and the team at George Ide LLP have secured settlements ranging from £1-6 million and beyond, ensuring financial security and peace of mind for life for the clients and their families.
I have worked closely over many years with Ursula Watt and Stephen Shine in George Ide LLP’s Court of Protection team. I am always impressed by how adaptable and attentive they are in looking after their brain-injured clients who often display challenging behaviour. They are able to communicate in a way our clients understand and work in a very person centered way. They are firm but fair and always have the clients’ best interests at heart. Karl Thompson. Managing Director, THCS Ltd
Dear Ursula
Just a quick informal note to say thank you to you and Dawn for all the work you have both done in sorting out my Aunt’s Estate. It has been a great help to me and you have provided a first class service at a very fair and reasonable price, thank you for getting it all sorted in such a good time.
Yours Sincerely
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