Make it your New Year's Resolution to get your legal affairs in order and plan for the future. Throughout January and February 2021, Clapham & Collinge LLP is offering a 25% discount on Lasting Powers of Attorney.
We've seen a significant increase in the number of clients instructing us to grant power of attorney as the coronavirus outbreak prompts many of us to urgently review our legal affairs. 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 are a bit more obscure in the public sphere and often people are not aware why they need them.
If you lose the ability to manage your own affairs, a partner or family member cannot automatically deal with things on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables people you choose to have legal authority to make certain decisions for you, if you become unable to make them yourself. The person who is given this authority is known as an 'attorney'. They can manage your finances, or make decisions relating to your health and welfare. There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney:
This gives your attorney the power to make decisions about your money and property, including managing bank or building society accounts, paying bills, collecting a pension and if necessary, selling your home. Once registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, it can be used immediately, or held in readiness until required.
Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney:
This gives your attorney the power to make decisions about your daily routine, medical care, moving into a care home and life-sustaining medical treatment. It can only be used if you are unable to make your own decisions.
In relation to the cost of preparing and registering a Lasting Power of Attorney, this will depend on whether you wish to have both a Lasting Power of Attorney (Property and Financial Affairs) and/or a Lasting Power of Attorney (Health and Welfare) prepared and registered.
What happens if you 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 New Year appointment, please contact our Client Relations Team on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an Enquiry' form on our website. We can carry out telephone or video appointments, reducing the need for face-to-face meetings in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Face-to-face appointments are available at our Norwich, North Walsham, and Sheringham offices.
To be eligible for the discount, all Lasting Powers of Attorney appointments must take place by Friday 26th February.
