Preparing for Your LPA Consultation: What You Need to Know

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most practical and empowering decisions you can make to safeguard your future. It ensures that, should you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself, the people you trust most are legally able to step in and act on your behalf.

If you’ve booked a consultation, excellent choice. Here’s how to prepare so we can make the process smooth and tailored to your needs.

1. Understand What an LPA Covers

There are two types of LPA, and you can choose one or both:

Property and Financial Affairs LPA

This allows someone to help manage your bank accounts, pay bills, deal with investments, or even sell your property if needed.

Health and Welfare LPA

This allows someone to make decisions about medical treatment, care arrangements, and day-to-day living if you lose mental capacity.

We’ll go over the differences in your consultation, but it’s helpful to start thinking about which one(s) you’d like to set up.

2. Decide Who You Want to Appoint as Your Attorneys

This is the heart of your LPA. Think carefully about who you trust to make important decisions on your behalf. Consider:

• Are they trustworthy, responsible, and organised?

• Do they understand your values and wishes?

• Would they work well with other appointed attorneys, if applicable?

  
  

You can appoint one or more attorneys, and also name replacement attorneys in case your first choice is unable or unwilling to act.

3. Think About How Your Attorneys Will Make Decisions

If you’re appointing more than one attorney, you’ll need to decide:

• Should they act jointly (always together), severally (independently), or jointly and severally (either together or alone)?

• Do you want to assign specific roles or responsibilities?

  
  

We’ll help you weigh up the pros and cons of each option during your consultation.

4. Consider Any Instructions or Preferences

You can include legally binding instructions or non-binding preferences in your LPA to help guide your attorneys.

Examples include:

• A preference to remain in your own home as long as possible

• Instructions not to sell a particular property

• Guidance about investment decisions or healthcare treatments

If there are values or beliefs that are important to you, this is your opportunity to make them clear.

5. Prepare Basic Personal Details

To complete the paperwork efficiently, it’s helpful to have to hand:

• Full names, dates of birth, and addresses of yourself and your chosen attorneys

• Contact information

• Any details of people you’d like to be notified when your LPA is registered

  
  

6. Know Why You’re Doing This Now

Many people delay setting up an LPA, but it’s best to do it while you’re well and capable. Having it in place brings peace of mind for you and your loved ones and ensures your affairs can be managed smoothly if the unexpected happens.

Final Thoughts

An LPA is about protecting your voice and values, even when you can’t speak for yourself. By coming prepared to our consultation, you’re making sure that the decisions made on your behalf are the ones you would have made yourself.

If you have any questions or would like help thinking through your options, just get in touch. I’m here to help you make informed, confident choices.