Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney

What is a LPA?

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

The patient must be 18 or over and have mental capacity when applying for a LPA.

However, the LPA only comes into force should the patient loose capacity.

The application is made to the Office of the Public Guardian. 

There are different types of power of attorney:

• Health and welfare (medical care, moving into a care home, life-sustaining treatment): it can only be used when the patient lacks capacity.

• Property and financial affairs (bank account, pension/benefits, selling the home): It can be used as soon as it’s registered