At Clapham & Collinge Solicitors, we're running our 'Charity Lasting Powers of Attorney Scheme' throughout November, where we are offering a 25% discount on Lasting Powers of Attorney. In addition to this discount, we will also make a £50.00 donation per Lasting Power of Attorney appointment to support 5 Norfolk based charities. Our chosen charities for this year's scheme are The Benjamin Foundation, Norfolk and Waveney Mind, Big C, Norfolk Community Foundation and Sheringham Little Theatre.
Our chosen charities:
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.
Click here for more information on Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Book your Lasting Power of Attorney Appointment:
All appointments must be booked by Tuesday 30th November and must take place by Monday 31st January 2022. To claim your discount and book your Lasting Power of Attorney appointment, please contact our Client Relations Team on 01603 693500, email enquiries@clapham-collinge.co.uk or leave an enquiry via the 'Make an enquiry' form on our website.
Face-to-face meetings are available by appointment at our Norwich, North Walsham, and Sheringham offices.
*This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice.
