We are delighted to announce our third 'Charity Lasting Powers of Attorney Scheme' taking place throughout January 2020.
Make it your New Year's Resolution to get your legal affairs in order and plan for the future. Clapham & Collinge Solicitors are offering a 25% discount on Lasting Powers of Attorneys throughout January 2020. We will also make a £40 donation per Lasting Power of Attorney appointment to support 4 Norfolk based charities. Our chosen charities are Age UK Norwich, Keeping Abreast, North Norfolk Community Transport and Cruse Bereavement Care Norwich.
Although it is often difficult to think about, it is crucial that we plan for the future and ensure we can manage our financial affairs in the event of an incapacitating illness, accident or injury. Everyone understands the importance of a Will, but Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) are a bit more obscure in the public sphere and often people are not aware why they need them. Government research has made it clear that there are dangerous misconceptions about managing your affairs when you lose mental capacity….
73% of people think 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 both. This is untrue. An LPA will however give you consent to access joint funds to pay and monitor financial aspects of a joint account.
72% of people think your next of kin always gets the final say in treatment decisions at hospital, if you can't make them yourself. This is untrue. Medical decisions need the specific, agreed consent of the person involved, before a next of kin can make treatment or welfare choices on someone else's behalf.
(Powerofattorney.campaign.gov.uk, 2019)
With this scheme we hope to raise awareness about the legal and financial implications of dementia and highlight the importance of getting your legal documents in place for peace of mind.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people (known as 'attorneys') to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.
This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and can't make decisions for yourself (where you 'lack mental capacity') or when you simply want to delegate the role to someone you trust.
There are two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney:
- Property & Financial Affairs
- Health & Welfare
When can they be used?
Property and Finances – as soon as it has been registered
- At the point you no longer have sufficient capacity to make certain decisions yourself or;
- While you are still able to make decisions but are physically unable to carry them out or you want someone else to make decisions for you
Health and Welfare – can only be used if you cannot make the decision yourself (unconscious or lacking capacity).
Who can be an Attorney?
- A family member
- A trusted friend
- A professional
What happens if I don't make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
- No one has legal authority to act on your behalf – your spouse and children have no automatic rights to make decisions on your behalf
- Someone will need to make an application to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order
- This can be costly, time consuming and you may not end up being assisted by the person you would have chosen yourself
The cost of preparing and registering a Lasting Power of Attorney will depend on whether you wish to have a Property & Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney and/or a Health & Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney prepared and registered.
To claim your discount and book your January appointment, please contact our Client Relations Team on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an Enquiry' form on our website. Appointments available at our Norwich, North Walsham, and Sheringham offices.
Appointments must be booked by Friday 31st January and must take place by Friday 28th February 2020.
Powerofattorney.campaign.gov.uk. (2019). Lasting power of attorney – your voice, your decision. [online] Available at: https://powerofattorney.campaign.gov.uk/.
