Understanding What A Power of Attorney Is?

We understand that legal process can be complex and understanding the ins and outs is not always easy. For the crucial moments in your life, there are certain legal procedures that can be vital for managing your best interests. Appointing a Power of Attorney, ensures decisions are made according to your wishes by the right people around you.

At Thursfields, we can help clarify a Power of Attorney for you with complete empathy and expertise. Our team of experienced solicitors are here to guide you through this legal process and documents, ensuring that you are able to make informed decisions about your future with a clear understanding of what this means.

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What is a Power of Attorney?

A Power of Attorney, often referred to as a POA, is a legal document that grants someone else the authority to make decisions and act on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so. The named person on this document is known as your attorney and must agree to do this for you, acting on your behalf in financial matters, healthcare decisions and property transactions should a time arise that you cannot make these coherent decisions for yourself.

The importance of a POA cannot be emphasised enough for individuals, ensuring that your interests are looked after by someone that you trust.

If you would like to speak to a member of our team at Thursfields and get your POA started, contact us today.

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What is a Power of Attorney with Thursfields

Why is a Power of Attorney Important?

Having a Power of Attorney in place is important for a number of reasons:

Protection in Case of Incapacity: We cannot predict the future and unforeseen circumstances may leave you with a severe illness or medical condition that means you are unable to make your own decisions. A POA ensures that your affairs can be looked after by someone that you trust in these circumstances.
Avoiding Court Interventions: Without a POA in place, if you become unable to make your own decisions, this may lead to a lengthy court process to allow your loved ones to gain the authority of your affairs that they need. Having a POA in place can avoid this stress and financial cost for your families.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that your affairs are in the hands of a trusted individual can give you and those around you peace of mind in unforeseen circumstances.

If you would like to get your Power of Attorney in place, contact Thursfields today to start the process.

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Types of Power of Attorney

When considering a POA, there are different types. It is essential to understand the difference between them to ensure you have the right documents in place for your future. Each type of POA serves a specific purpose with certain authorities being given.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. There are two forms of LPA:

Health and Welfare LPA: This gives authority to make decisions regarding health and welfare, including medical treatments, care preferences and end of life care.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA: With this, you appoint someone to manage your financial affairs, including paying bills, managing investments, and buying or selling properties when you are not able to do so.

Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)

You can no longer make an EPA; however, if you have one in place that pre-dated 1^st October 2007, these are still valid. These only covered decisions relating to property and financial matters.

Ordinary Power of Attorney (OPA)

This is a temporary arrangement that allows you to appoint someone you trust to manage your finances for a specific period of time or task. These are used for short term situations, typically used if you are abroad, or temporarily incapacitated. These are not valid if you lose mental capacity which sets them apart from EPAs or LPAs.

If you are unsure what type of Power of Attorney you need, contact our experienced private client solicitors today.

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How Thursfields Can Help You

At Thursfields, our private client solicitors understand the importance of a Power of Attorney and the impact that this can have on your decisions in the future. If you are looking to start the process of ensuring your POA is in place, Thursfields can help you.

Expertise: Our private client team have a wealth of expertise in estate planning and POA matters.
Experience: Thursfields has a proven track record of helping clients to successfully navigate legal complexities, including POAs.
Client-Centric Approach: We prioritise your needs and preferences, providing personalised guidance at every stage of the process.

If you would like expert advice that is tailored to your individual needs, contact our team at Thursfields today. We can help you get your Power of Attorney in place, securing your future and protecting your interests.