What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document allowing you to appoint someone that you trust as an ‘attorney’ to make decisions on your behalf. Attorneys can make decisions for you when you no longer wish to or when you lack the mental capacity to do so.

Someone can lack mental capacity if they have an injury, disorder or condition that affects the way their mind works. This could mean they have difficulty making decisions all of the time or that it might take them a long time to make a decision.

There are two different types of Lasting Power of Attorney:

• Health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney.
• Property and financial affairs Lasting Power of Attorney.

A Lasting Power of Attorney cannot be used until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.