You can also arrange for someone to deal with your benefits or tax credits case by giving them power of attorney. Power of attorney You don't have to make both types of LPA at the same time. Property and financial affairs lasting power of attorney You should also make an LPA if you have been diagnosed with, or think you might develop, an illness which might prevent you from making decisions for yourself at some time in the future. Once you've filled in these forms, you will need to register the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian. If you're the donor and you still have mental capacity, you can apply to register the LPA yourself. The person named as your attorney can also apply to register the LPA. They can do this at any time, whether you have lost mental capacity or not.

understand the information needed to help them make the decision, even when the information is given in a way which meets their needs, for example, using simple language or by sign language or JUST IMAGINE IF WE, THE NORMAL GIRLS, STOOD UNITED AS AN ENORMOUS, HYSTERICAL AND PROUD ARMY. WE WOULD BE UNSTOPPABLE.’There are notes which come with the forms which tell you exactly what to do. You should read these very carefully. Register a lasting power of attorney Read with gumption, fearlessness and sharp wit, Can I Speak to Someone in Charge? is a window into the ridiculous ideologies and the absurd expectations that shape the lives of modern women. When you make an LPA, you can request that certain people should be notified when the LPA is registered. This helps to protect you against fraud and being pressurised into making the LPA. You should use form LP3 to notify the people named in your LPA, before you apply to register it. Attorneys appointed to act together and independently (also known as joint and several attorneys) When attorneys are appointed in this way, it means that the signature or action of one attorney is as valid as if they were the only attorney. It also means that the power of attorney will continue in force if anything happens to one of the attorneys. Responsibilities of an attorney Sometimes, two or more deputies are appointed. They can be asked to act together in all matters. Alternatively, they can be asked to act together and independently which means that they can act together but may also act independently if they wish.

It is no longer possible to make a new EPA. However, if an EPA was made before 1 October 2007, it can still be registered and, if it is already registered, it will still be valid. If there's no friend or family member who is suitable or willing to act as a deputy, the Court of Protection can appoint a professional from a panel. you have been diagnosed with a mental health problem or other disease which can lead to mental incapacity A property and financial affairs LPA can give someone the authority to deal with and make decisions about things like: If all you need is for someone to be able, temporarily, to operate a bank account for you, you can just write to your bank. Many banks have their own form, called a form for third party mandate, which they will ask you to complete and return to them.No one else can make a power of attorney for you. You can instruct a solicitor to draft a power of attorney for you, but the solicitor should only accept instructions or authorisation from you, whether in person or in writing. They should not accept instructions or authorisation from anyone else, including the person who is to become your attorney. Who can be an attorney A property and financial affairs LPA must be registered before it can be used. However, you don't have to wait until someone loses their mental capacity before using it. A property and financial affairs LPA will come into effect as soon as it is registered. This means that the attorney will be able to start making decisions about your property and financial affairs straight away, even if you are still capable of making your own decisions. If you don't want the attorney to be able to make decisions about your affairs straight away, you should make sure that the LPA says this. If you are appointed as a deputy, you are entitled to have reasonable expenses paid, and may also be paid to carry out your duties. You may be concerned that an attorney or a deputy is not acting in the best interests of someone who has lost their mental capacity. You should report your concerns to the Office of the Public Guardian – see under Office of the Public Guardian. To continue using an EPA after someone has lost their mental capacity, the EPA must first be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. The EPA must be registered by the person who will be managing someone else's affairs (the attorney). Before you register the EPA, you must notify certain people that you are going to register it. This is done on a form which you must send to all the following people: