LPA forms to get easier

On 15 October 2013, the Ministry of Justice published a second consultation document seeking views on proposed changes to the prescribed Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) forms to make them easier and quicker to use.

The changes include:

–       an additional hybrid form to create a combined Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare LPA.

–       the removal of the requirement for a second certificate provider where the donor of an LPA does not select anybody to be notified of the intention to register the LPA.

–       the possibility of making the process of creating and registering an LPA paperless so that signatures are dispensed with.

Nevertheless, these proposed changes should not influence people to ‘put off’ making LPAs until a later date, particularly as LPAs cannot be made by someone who lacks mental capacity.

By putting in place a Property and Financial Affairs LPA now, it gives you the security and peace of mind that someone you trust is acting on your behalf with regards to your property and financial affairs and that if you become ill and incapable of managing your own affairs, the LPA will remain operative.

By putting in place a Health and Welfare LPA now, it gives you the security and peace of mind that someone you trust can act on your behalf to deal with day to day decisions about your personal welfare, including decisions about where you live, daily routine and medical treatment in the event that you are not able to do so yourself. For more information please contact Emma Thorpe on 020 8502 3991 or emmathorpe@foskettmarr.co.uk