A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows the Donor (the person making the Lasting Power of Attorney) to appoint a Donee or Attorney (person granted authority), to make decisions on their behalf in the event of the Donor losing mental capacity.

1. •A Lasting Power of Attorney or LPA extends the limited powers of an Enduring Power of Attorney into the power to make both Financial and/or Health & Welfare decisions.
   

2. •The Donor may indicate what powers they wish their Attorneys to have and what restrictions.
   

3. •The Donor may provide guidance as to how they would wish the attorney to act.
   

4. •More than one Attorney can be appointed to manage different aspects of someones affairs or medical treatment.
   

5. •Alternatively, different Attorneys may be appointed to manage either a Property and Financial Lasting Power of Attorney or a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney.
   

Why make a Lasting Power of Attorney

The chances of someone losing mental capacity is may be correlated to the following

1. •Are you aged 25 years or older
   

2. •Do you have a stressful job or life style
   

3. •Do you undertake any kind of sporting activity, as injuries from these might arise
   

4. •Do you have a relative who has developed Dementia (or similar conditions)
   

5. •Are you someone who would like to have a say in what happens, if you have insufficient mental capacity
   

If you can answer yes to any of these, then an Lasting Power of Attorney is for you.

Of course you don’t have to make one, you can alway let a stranger make your financial and personal decisions for you if you have insufficient mental capacity.