A Power of Attorney is a legal document which enables a person or people of your choice to act on your behalf should you reach a stage in your life when you are no longer capable of managing your own affairs.

With our Powers of Attorney you retain absolute control, and the document can sit idle until such times as an independent medical professional deems it appropriate to activate the Power of Attorney. You must choose someone who you trust implicitly – if this document comes into effect they will be involved in assisting with financial or business matters, and making decisions on your health care if you are unable to do so.

Why do you need a Power of Attorney?

There are two major reasons why a Power of Attorney is an essential document to have in place:

1. If you reach a stage in your life where you are unable to act, what responsibilities are you solely in charge of that could be affected without your authority? Whose care are you charged with and what would happen to them? These are very common facts which appear when incapacity is forced on someone, and the solutions are not ideal. Without an appointed Attorney, you will be unable to pay bills or make financial decisions. This could impact on business you may be involved in or just the electricity for the family home. A Power of Attorney is a safeguard to ensure, just in case something does happen; there is provision behind you to take over your responsibility.

2. The second reason why you need a Power of Attorney is also the only viable option should someone become incapax without one: The Guardianship Order...

This is an application through the courts which can take up to 6 months to process, and although it allows some similar authority to a Power of Attorney, it does not allow the Guardian the full authority to control your finances or health. Furthermore, it can cost up to £3,500 and has to be renewed and re-applied for every 3 years which is an incredibly expensive outgoing.