"Your Voice, Your Decision" is The OPG’s (The Office of the Public Guardian) Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) campaign promoting the importance and benefits of making an LPA.
The campaign also clears up some of the myths around LPAs.
If you lose the ability to make certain decisions for yourself, a lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets people you trust quickly, easily and legally step in.
True or False?
Q. If a couple have a joint bank account and one person can’t make decisions for themselves, their partner can legally make decisions for them?
This is false, but 73%* of people think it is true.
Q. In hospital, your next of kin always get the final say in treatment decisions if you can’t make them for yourself.”
This is false, but 72%* of people think it is true.
(*NatCen Survey of 2000 people 2017)
Everyone over 18 should have LPAs in place.
These are legal documents drawn up and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian to give another or others (attorneys) the power to deal with your affairs and make decisions for you if you are unable to do this for yourself because you lack the capacity.
There are two types of LPAs which can be set up. One covers your financial decisions which would enable your attorneys to run your bank accounts; make or sell investments; pay your bills; buy or sell property. The other covers your health and care decisions which can include the type of health care and medical treatments you receive including life-sustaining treatment; where you live; who visits you; and daily matters such as your diet and routine.
To complete and register LPAs, there are certain forms which must be completed. You need a certificate provider to certify you are of sound mind and a witness.
Couples who are married or in a civil partnership do not have the power to make decisions for each other if one loses capacity. LPAs are the only way to ensure that the people you choose would have the legal authority to deal with your affairs.
If you lose capacity (even temporarily) and you have not completed LPAs, your assets will be frozen (this includes joint bank accounts) and your loved ones would need to apply to the Court of Protection (see ‘Court of Protection – Deputyship’). Applying to the Court (the only secret court in our country) is very costly and it takes several months for a decision.
In a lot of cases the Court declines the application and appoints professional attorneys (who charge for their services) to deal with your financial affairs and social services will make all the decisions regarding your health and welfare – not your partner or next of kin.
Call us now to find out more about how we can help you with LPAs.
Ancojada Limited trading as Ancojada Group is not authorised or regulated to provide financial advice.
All financial advice is provided by other regulated businesses.