Helen Sweeney LL.B
Lasting Powers of Attorney
& Court Protection Cases
Based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Helen Sweeney LL.B
Let a specialist help you through the process of making a power of attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney are important deeds in which you give your Attorneys the legal authority to act on your behalf, in case, for whatever reason, you were unable to deal with your own affairs.
A Property and Financial Affairs Power of Attorney gives your attorneys the power to deal with all aspects of your finances, including the power to sell your home, if this became necessary. It might be useful if you were ill and/or in hospital and your attorneys would then act in accordance with your instructions.
The same deed “lasts” and can continue to be used if you lost capacity.
You can also make a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney in relation to your personal care. This deed can only be used if you have lost the capacity to give instructions for yourself.
Why you should consider making a Financial Lasting Power of Attorney
It would not be possible to sell (or let) your home whether it is in your sole name or in joint names with your husband or wife.
If your bank knows you have lost capacity, it will freeze an account in your sole name and even a joint account in the names of yourself and your husband or wife
No one would have the legal authority to deal with state benefits, pensions, tax issues, or utility providers, on your behalf.
It could be many months (after an application to the Court of Protection) before your family could access funds to pay bills or nursing home fees, which can cause distress and embarrassment.