Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) finance refers to the legal authority granted to someone (the attorney) to manage the financial affairs of another person (the donor) who lacks the mental capacity to do so themselves. It’s a crucial tool for ensuring continuity and stability in managing assets and making financial decisions when someone is no longer able to.
There are two types of LPA in England and Wales: one for Property and Financial Affairs and another for Health and Welfare. This discussion focuses on the former. An LPA for Property and Financial Affairs allows the attorney to make decisions about things like buying and selling property, managing bank accounts, paying bills, claiming benefits, and investing money. Critically, this LPA can be used even while the donor still has mental capacity, with their permission, although many choose to only activate it if capacity is lost.
Creating an LPA: The process involves completing a detailed LPA form, clearly identifying the donor and attorney(s), specifying the powers granted, and outlining any restrictions or conditions. The donor must have the mental capacity to understand the LPA and its implications at the time of creation. The document must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it can be used. Registration involves checks to ensure the LPA is valid and protects the donor’s interests.
The Attorney’s Responsibilities: An attorney acting under an LPA has a legal duty to act in the donor’s best interests. This includes making decisions that the donor would have made themselves, or if that’s not possible, acting in their best interests, considering their wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values. Attorneys must keep accurate records of all transactions made on behalf of the donor. They are accountable for their actions and can be held liable for any abuse of power or negligence.
Safeguards and Oversight: The OPG oversees registered LPAs and can investigate concerns about an attorney’s conduct. Individuals can raise concerns with the OPG if they believe an attorney is not acting in the donor’s best interests. The Court of Protection has the power to make decisions about the donor’s property and affairs, including removing an attorney if necessary.
Considerations when Choosing an Attorney: Selecting a suitable attorney is a crucial decision. Individuals should choose someone they trust implicitly, who is responsible, organized, and capable of managing financial matters. It’s common to appoint more than one attorney, either to act jointly (decisions must be made together) or jointly and severally (attorneys can act independently). Deciding which arrangement is most appropriate depends on the specific circumstances and the relationships between the attorneys.
Revoking an LPA: A donor can revoke an LPA at any time, provided they have the mental capacity to do so. The revocation must be in writing and communicated to the attorney(s) and the OPG. If an attorney lacks capacity or becomes bankrupt, their authority automatically ends.
In conclusion, LPA finance is a vital mechanism for managing financial affairs when someone loses the capacity to do so themselves. It requires careful planning, responsible attorneys, and robust safeguards to protect the donor’s interests. Seeking legal advice is strongly recommended when creating an LPA to ensure it is tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.