Do I need an Enduring Power of Attorney?

An Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document that appoints someone of your choosing to make personal, financial, legal and property decisions on your behalf.  They would do this if you lose capacity to make decisions yourself because of illness or injury.

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?

An Enduring Power of Attorney is a formal document that appoints a trusted person, such as a family member or friend to make financial legal and property decisions on your behalf in the event that you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself.  
Unlike a General Power Attorney that appoints someone to make decisions on your behalf for a specified period or event, an Enduring Power of Attorney makes decisions for you on an indefinite basis, such as if your health is failing or you lose cognitive function.

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An Enduring Power of Attorney can enable the appointed person to:-
• Sell your property
• Enable the appointed person to vote at meetings on your behalf
• It is like a General Power of Attorney, but it remains valid after you lose legal capacity to make decisions for yourself.
• It can be anyone over the age of 18 years who can assist an individual with money or property.

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An Enduring Power of Attorney must also be explained to you and witnessed by a prescribed person such as a solicitor.

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If you have any questions about an Enduring Power of Attorney or General Power of Attorney, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss with you.