Plan who could help make decisions if you need support. Discuss lasting powers of attorney with Legacy Wills and Probate and make informed choices about the people you appoint.
Tell us what you would like help with. We can discuss your circumstances, the scope of the work and the next step.
Our principal office is in Bolton. Please contact the team to discuss consultation arrangements.
A lasting power of attorney, or LPA, lets you appoint people to help make decisions or act on your behalf. It is a planning decision to make while you have the mental capacity required to do so. Choosing attorneys and understanding the authority you give them are central parts of that decision.
Legacy Wills and Probate provides power-of-attorney support for clients in Manchester. A discussion can help you identify your priorities, understand the documents and consider how the arrangements should work in practice. The aim is to make deliberate choices rather than simply complete names on a form.
A property and financial affairs LPA concerns decisions about money and property. A health and welfare LPA concerns personal welfare decisions. The two documents have different uses and rules about when an attorney can act; you can consider one or both.
Think about the decisions that matter to you and where you may need help. Do not assume a will gives someone authority during your lifetime, or that an LPA deals with your estate after death. These are different arrangements, which can be considered together as part of a wider plan.
Consider who you trust, whether they are willing to act and how they would manage the responsibilities. If you want to appoint more than one person, discuss how decisions should be made and what should happen if an attorney cannot continue.
Your preferences and any proposed instructions need careful thought. Wording should be clear and workable, and should not be added just because it sounds reassuring. Bring questions about practical matters, such as managing accounts or communicating with family, so that the discussion relates to the arrangements you actually need.
An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. Registration is separate from preparing the document, and official requirements and fees should be checked at the time. Ask which parts of preparation and registration are included in the service you are considering.
For your initial conversation, have the details of proposed attorneys and any existing power-of-attorney documents available. Tell us if there is an urgent concern about capacity or if someone has already lost the ability to make the relevant decision, as a different route may be needed. Read more about our power-of-attorney service or consider a related will review.
Do not assume that marriage gives your spouse authority to manage every account or decision. An LPA can provide a specific legal arrangement; the right document and its permitted use need to be understood.
You must have the required mental capacity when making an LPA. If someone cannot make one, seek advice about the appropriate alternative rather than trying to complete an LPA on their behalf.
You can consider different people for different responsibilities. Think about their suitability and willingness, and discuss how the choices would work alongside each other before completing the documents.
Explore wills, probate and estate planning for Manchester clients, or read our main service guidance.
