When to make lasting powers of attorney
Your lasting powers of attorney give your chosen attorneys the power to make decisions on your behalf.
There are two types of lasting power of attorney, and we recommend you make both:
Lasting Power of Attorney for health and welfare
Covers medical treatment and case, from daily routine to life-sustaining treatment.
Lasting power of attorney for property and financial affairs
Governs financial matters such as bank accounts, bills, pensions and dealing with property.
Benefits of instructing Julie West Solicitors
You do not need a solicitor to make lasting powers of attorney. You can find out more and make an application for registration using the Office of the Public Guardian online system.
However, there are advantages to using a solicitor to help you make your lasting powers of attorney. Lasting powers of attorney are complex documents which create powers with serious consequences. Relying on interpreting the basic guidance published by the government is unlikely to achieve the best possible result for you.
By appointing one of our solicitors you will receive expert advice tailored to your situation. We have helped hundreds of families get their affairs in order, in other words, we've seen it all. We work hard to make the process as painless as possible for you, including keeping our advice friendly, approachable, simple and free from jargon.
How it works
Process
Once you have made contact with us, spoken with your solicitor and decided to go ahead we will send you our welcome pack of paperwork to complete and return.
Your solicitor will produce drafts for your approval within 14 days. Once you are satisfied with your lasting power of attorney, we will make arrangements for you and your attorneys to sign.
Your lasting powers of attorney need to be registered with the Public Guardian before they can be used.
Once your lasting powers of attorney have been registered we will provide you with certified copies for you to use and ask you if you would like to store the originals in our in-house safe storage system.
meetings
You will always be asked if you would like to meet your solicitor. Although a meeting is not a prerequisite to making lasting powers of attorney, if you have the time, we think meeting your solicitor face to face is of great benefit.
Your solicitor may be able to offer you an appointment out of usual office hours if it helps you. Our meeting room and client facilities have level access. Our allocated office parking is right outside the office door. If you are unable to make it to our office, your solicitor will come and see you at home.
Timescale
Your solicitor will send you draft lasting powers of attorney within 14 days of receiving your instructions.
Your lasting powers of attorney need to be registered with the Public Guardian before they can be used. This takes 8 to 10 weeks.
Taking into account the Public Guardian registration waiting period, you can expect to have your new lasting powers in place within four months of your first contact with us.
Fee list for lasting powers of attorney
Included in our fees
All retainers include:
A meeting to talk through your circumstances and the options available to you.
Advice from a specialist solicitor tailored to your needs and delivered in a friendly and straightforward way.
A draft for you to approve including commentary that explains the effect of each provision in your lasting powers of attorney.
Preparation of final signature copy.
Taking on the role of your certificate provider.
Registering your lasting powers of attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Safe storage in our in-house system.
Preparation of two solicitor certified copies for your use.