When someone gets diagnosed with dementia, it is hugely upsetting, but it’s important to plan for a time when they may no longer be capable of making decisions for themselves. A lasting Power of Attorney can be put in place to ensure that if they lose their mental capacity, someone trusted can look after their financial affairs or health matters.
What types of Power of Attorney are there?
There are three types of Power of Attorney: Ordinary, Lasting and Enduring. An Ordinary Power of Attorney allows someone to temporarily look after your affairs. This should not be used if you have been diagnosed with a disease like dementia which is likely to lead to a loss of mental capacity. In this case, opt for a Lasting Power of Attorney, which gives someone the legal power to look after your affairs for a long time.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney: Health and Welfare and Property and Finance. You can choose to have one or both of these, depending on whether you want someone to manage everything or just one aspect of your affairs.
What are they used for?
If you are diagnosed with dementia, it is likely you will eventually be unable to make decisions for yourself, as you lose your mental capacity, which is why it’s important to plan ahead.
How do I get a Power of Attorney?
It is possible to download and print the documents and fill them out yourself, or you can use the services of firms such as powerofattorneyonline.co.uk. In order to ensure it is done correctly, it can be a good idea to use the services of an expert like Power Of Attorney Online. Once it is completed, it must then be registered, at a cost of £82, with the Office of the Public Guardian.
A legal expert can be useful in verifying that someone is still of sound mind when they sign the Lasting Power of Attorney. This is called acting as a Certificate Provider. A doctor can also provide this certificate if preferred.
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