Lasting Powers of Attorney: Planning for Life, Not Just Death
- Colin Barrett
- Jul 9
- 2 min read
Why LPAs are essential for protecting your interests during your lifetime.
What Happens If You Can’t Make Decisions Yourself?
Estate planning isn’t just about what happens when you die. It’s also about protecting you while you’re still alive.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint trusted individuals to make decisions for you if you lose the ability to make them yourself.
What is an LPA?
There are two types of LPA:
Property & Financial Affairs LPA Covers things like bank accounts, bills, investments, pensions, and property.
Health & Welfare LPA Covers decisions about medical treatment, care, daily routines, and where you live.
You can make one or both. Health & Welfare LPAs only take effect if you lose mental capacity.
Why are LPAs important?
If you lose capacity due to illness, accident, or age, and you don’t have an LPA, your family will need to apply to the Court of Protection for authority.
That process is:
Lengthy
Expensive
Emotionally stressful
Limiting in scope
Even your spouse has no automatic right to act on your behalf without an LPA.
The benefits of setting up LPAs early
✅ You stay in control of who acts for you
✅ It avoids delays and legal costs
✅ It helps prevent family disagreements
✅ It protects your dignity and independence
Common misconceptions
“I’m healthy — I don’t need one yet.” LPAs can only be made while you have full mental capacity. Waiting may be too late.
“My partner can just handle it.” Not legally. Organisations like banks and healthcare providers require official documentation.
Final Thought
A Will protects your wishes after death. A Lasting Power of Attorney protects your wellbeing during life.
Setting one up is an act of care — for yourself, and for those who may need to support you.
Book your free review
Let’s put the right protections in place while you still have the choice.
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