“planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now”

Unfortunately, no one can tell what may happen in the future.  Tomorrow is uncertain and because life is full of unexpected changes, it is sensible to decide who you would like to manage your personal and financial affairs should you no longer have capacity to do so yourself. 

It’s good practice in estate planning to create a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), a legal document which gives a nominated person you trust the authority to make certain decisions on your behalf, if you are unfortunately unable to make those decisions yourself.

These decisions may relate to your property and affairs, or your Health & Personal Welfare, and are not restricted to those who are elderly or unwell – anyone can create one. Indeed, it's essential to make these legal documents whilst you have mental capacity to understand their purpose and to make the important decision about who you trust to make decisions for you if and when you are unable to do so.  So,  it's best not to put it off until tomorrow!

Without an LPA, losing capacity may require a costly, time-consuming Court of Protection application for a deputy to act on your behalf, which could lead to disputes and disagreements between family members. 

At Lloyds Cooper, we offer advice about the operation of Lasting Powers of Attorney and guide and assist you on how to create Lasting Powers of Attorney documents and our team is on hand to walk you through it step by step to deliver peace of mind to you and your loved ones today for whatever life brings tomorrow.