PROPERTY & FINANCE

A Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney can be made to give your attorney the authority to make financial decisions, such as managing your bank account.

This Lasting Power of Attorney gives an attorney the authority to make decisions about money and property for you, for example:

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• managing a bank or building society account

• paying bills

• dealing with the DWP or collecting benefits or a pension

• paying for care arrangements or selling your home

If you choose, it can be used as soon as it’s registered which can be helpful if you ever need your attorney(s) to help or take care of an issue on your behalf. This can really take the pressure off if you are able to deal with most things yourself but just need a little extra help from time to time, say dealing with a bank issue or an issue with your utilities. This can only be done with your express permission for each and every matter, so you still retain full control.

HEALTH & WELFARE

A Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney can be made to give your attorney the right to make personal welfare and medical treatment decisions on your behalf if at some time in the future you are unable to make those decisions yourself. A Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney can only be used when it has been registered and the donor has lost capacity (the ability to handle their own affairs).

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This Lasting Power of Attorney gives an attorney the authority to make decisions about matters like:

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• medical care

• your daily routine, for example washing, dressing, eating

• residential care arrangements or moving into a care home

• life-sustaining treatment

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