What happens if you can no longer make the decisions needed to protect what you have built during your lifetime?
If you were in an accident, unable to move, unable to talk, or if you developed a mind debilitating illness, how would your wishes be carried out?
Many people have a will, but a will is only effective on death.
What happens if you are still alive but unable to make decisions for yourself? The answer, a Lasting Power of Attorney, an LPA.
An LPA is a legally binding document that you prepare during your lifetime appointing individuals (attorneys) to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
This allows your wishes to be carried out, even if you can no longer express them.
There are two types of LPAs.
- Financial decisions – This allows your attorneys to deal with all financial matters on your behalf.
- Health and care decisions – This allows your attorneys to make medical and welfare decisions on your behalf only if you become mentally incapacitated.
Everyone over the age of 18 years should prepare an LPA. These documents allow you to keep control of very personal decisions when you are most vulnerable.
An LPA protects you during your lifetime, a will protects you on death. Don’t leave yourself open to living through decisions others, who you may not know or trust, make on your behalf.
The team at Kinetic Law are experts in the field of LPAs and should you require further advice, then please contact us to discuss this further.
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