Our Lasting Power of Attorney Service

There are a number of steps to put a valid LPA in place. We can guide you through the process to help you draw up and register the documents which accurately reflect your wishes. This includes:

  • Helping you to understand the different types of powers that can be given
  • Helping you choose the right attorney(s)
  • Advising you on the best way to structure your LPAs
  • Documenting issues which may affect the validity of LPAs such as mental capacity or undue influence
  • Drafting your LPAs to include bespoke clauses to reflect your personal preferences
  • Acting as a Certificate Provider to confirm that you have understood what your LPA entails and witnessing your signature
  • Helping your attorney(s) to execute their parts of the LPA to confirm that they are willing to act
  • Registering your LPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG)
  • Providing you with certified copies of the LPA should you need to use them in the future
  • In some cases, we may need to liaise with your doctor or a medical professional to provide a mental capacity report

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Our Lasting Power of Attorney Experience

Our experienced team frequently deal with LPAs and our Solicitors are trained in dealing with vulnerable people or those who have early stages of Alzheimer’s. Having undertaken additional training on the legalities of putting together LPAs as well as soft skills to deal with clients who may be losing mental capacity, our team are well equipped to help address and foresee practical issues which might arise later. We are also members of Solicitors For The Elderly.

As well as making LPAs, we have also helped families to query actions by Attorneys and cancel documents which have been put in place appointing inappropriate Attorneys.

Our team are highly ranked in The Legal 500 for personal tax, trusts and probate and in Chambers under the high-net-worth category as well as being shortlisted in the British Legal Awards for Private Client Team of the year 2021.  Therefore, you can be reassured you will receive a high-quality and truly bespoke service.

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Why Work With Our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team?

  • We have been ranked as a Top Tier law firm by the Legal 500 for the last seven years, and Myerson is recognised as a Top 200 UK law firm.
  • You will have access to Myerson's full Wills, Trusts, and Probate experts; we have a large team capable of meeting your deadlines.
  • When dealing with estates, we never forget that we are dealing with a grieving family, so our solicitors are tactile when handling a deceased person's estate.
  • Our Wills, Trusts and Probate lawyers understand that estate administration can be complex, particularly when disputes arise.
  • Our Wills, Trusts, and Probate solicitors appreciate that every person's circumstances are different, and our clients have different attitudes to tax saving and the distribution of their estates, so we take the time to find the best way to achieve our client’s aims.
  • Our holistic approach means we can spot potential tax-saving opportunities the client may need to know. We can also warn where the client's proposals may lead to unexpected tax liabilities.
  • You will receive city-quality trusts, wills, and probate advice at regional prices.
  • We provide a partner-led service to ensure you receive the best legal advice and commercially minded support.
  • Our personal service will prioritise your best interests as we push to fulfil your and your loved one's wishes. We understand the depth of emotion that matters relating to final wishes can hold, so we provide expert advice, support, and understanding.
  • Our full-service law firm operates from a one-site office, so our teams communicate effectively and efficiently, sharing their considerable expertise. We may consult with our family law and property law teams to maintain an efficient and complete service.
  • Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team works closely with our contested wills solicitors to ensure you get expert legal advice from specialist solicitors.
  • We use the latest technology to ensure that we are working as efficiently as possible, and that geographical distance is no bar to us from providing excellent client service.
  • With members of our Wills, Trusts, and Probate team speaking fluent Cantonese, we cater to the requirements of our clients to ensure effective communication when dealing with estates.
  • Look at the Myerson Promise for further benefits of working with us here.

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FAQs

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

An LPA is a legal document where a person (the Donor) appoints a person or persons (the Attorneys) to assist with decision-making during their lifetime. The Donor must have mental capacity to grant an LPA at the time of making it.

Why types of Powers of Attorney are there?

For LPAs there is one to cover property and financial affairs such as dealing with your house and bank accounts and another one to cover health and welfare decisions which includes where you live and what medical treatment you will or will not receive. You can make just one type, but most people tend to make both at the same time.

There are other types of Powers of Attorney as well. Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) which can no longer be made and were replaced by LPAS on 1st October 2007 but they can still be used if validly executed; Specific or General Powers of Attorney which tend to be more short-term documents (usually a year) and require the Donor to retain mental capacity at the time of use.

What is the difference between an Enduring and Lasting Power of Attorney?

Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) were replaced by LPAs on 1st October 2007 but they can still be used if validly executed. EPAs only deal with the property and financial affairs of the Donor whereas LPAs can be for both property, financial affairs and health and welfare. If you have an EPA and are happy with whom you have appointed but would like to appoint attorneys to deal with your health and welfare, you can make an LPA to cover just your health and welfare decisions.

The other main difference is that an LPA must be registered for it to be valid but EPAs only need to be registered if the Attorneys have reason to believe that the Donor is losing mental capacity and is unable to manage their financial affairs on a day-to-day basis.

Do I need a solicitor to make Power of Attorney?

Technically you do not need a solicitor to make an LPA however, we would strongly advise that you seek guidance on the best way to structure your LPAs. There have been many incidents where the wrong person has been appointed and there has been financial abuse which has required intervention by solicitors of the court which is costly or the wrong type of authority given which has caused problems as the LPA cannot be used in some circumstances. The court is also very strict on the signing of LPAs and therefore it is possible for them to be rejected on multiple occasions which can be problematic if the Donor then loses mental capacity.

Do I need a Will if I have an LPA?

LPAs only deal with decision-making whilst the Donor is alive and incapable of making decisions themselves. Once the Donor dies, the power comes to an end and the personal representatives of the estate will take over the administration of the estate. If you do not have a Will, the rules of intestacy will apply so you may have family members whom you do not wish to deal with your estate in charge of your assets whereas making a Will allows you to appoint your preferred executor.

What happens if I don’t have an LPA?

If a person loses mental capacity and has not put into place a valid LPA, someone will need to make an application to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. A Deputy is similar to the role of the Attorney but the appointment will need to be made by the Court of Protection.

This means that they will need full disclosure of the person’s finances to include, including income, expenditure and current assets. They will also need to complete checks on the intended Deputy.

The Court of Protection will also usually only appoint one Deputy whereas, in a Power of Attorney, more than one can be appointed and in different a variety of ways to suit the Donor. This process can take 2-3 times longer and costs 2-3 times more than making an LPA.

Meet Our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Lawyers

Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our wills, trusts, and probate lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.

Bik-ki Wong

Bik-ki Wong

Bik-ki is a Partner and is Head of our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Clara Staunton

Clara Staunton

Clara is a Partner in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Laura Willis

Laura Willis

Laura is a Senior Associate in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Simon Cieluch

Simon Cieluch

Simon is a Senior Associate in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Sarah Pull

Sarah Pull

Sarah is a Senior Associate in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Aalia Ijaz

Aalia Ijaz

Aalia is a Senior Associate in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Ben Murphy

Ben Murphy

Ben is a Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Hannah Owens

Hannah Owens

Hannah is a Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Dionne Elgott

Dionne Elgott

Dionne Elgott is a Trainee Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts & Probate Team

Carolyn Booth

Carolyn Booth

Carolyn is a Legal PA in our Wills, Trusts, and Probate Team

Deborah Holt

Deborah Holt

Deborah is a Support PA in our Wills, Trusts & Probate Team

Contact Myerson Solicitors

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0161 941 4000