A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document. It allows 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. A Lasting Power of Attorney cannot be used until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.A Lasting Power of Attorney can’t be registered and used immediately, and the amount of time you might have to wait can change. The current waiting time to register a Lasting Power of Attorney is 12 weeks. The Office of the Public Guardian must check the application to make sure there are no problems. There is also a six-week period when people have a chance to object to the Lasting Power of Attorney. An attorney can only use a Lasting Power of Attorney once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney can only be used once the donor (the person needing help) is unable to make their own decisions. A court or a medical professional will help in deciding if someone has lost the mental capacity to make decisions.You can fill in Lasting Power of Attorney forms for yourself, or if you are helping someone else make a Lasting Power of Attorney. However Lasting Power of Attorney forms can be complicated and you may have to seek professional legal advice, particularly if there are complicated details (such as finances) or specific instructions for the attorneys involved.

Jones Gough Solicitors are experts on all matters relating to Lasting Power of Attorney and has a proven track record of dealing with these issues and difficulties speedily and efficiently. If you would like any further advice about Lasting Power of Attorney, then please contact us on 0161 751 6458.