Lasting Power of Attorney: Health and Welfare
A health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) ensures there will be a person you can trust to make important decisions, such as ongoing care and living arrangements, should you, or a member of your family, lack the mental capacity to do so. The professional and understanding team at JMW can provide all the advice and guidance you need when making an LPA that best suits your needs. We are highly experienced in this complex area of law, and will always point you in the right direction.
For friendly and helpful advice regarding Lasting Powers of Attorney, either call the wills and probate team on 0345 872 6666 or allow us to give you a call back by completing our online enquiry form.
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What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document with which you can give to a person or persons of your choosing the authority to make decisions on your behalf. There are two forms of LPA; health and welfare and property and financial affairs.
A health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney authorises your attorney(s) to make decisions concerning your health and your welfare. Effectively, this document covers you on a personal level rather than on a financial level.
This type of LPA does not mean you will be forced into a care home or to undergo medical treatment against your will. Your attorney(s) will only be given authority after you have been assessed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It is also possible to limit the power of your attorney(s) in LPA documentation.
Meet Our Team of Wills Solicitors
Our team helps clients set up a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare, ensuring that trusted individuals can make crucial medical and care decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to do so.
What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document with which you can give to a person or persons of your choosing the authority to make decisions on your behalf. There are two forms of LPA; health and welfare and property and financial affairs.
A health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney authorises your attorney(s) to make decisions concerning your health and your welfare. Effectively, this document covers you on a personal level rather than on a financial level.
This type of LPA does not mean you will be forced into a care home or to undergo medical treatment against your will. Your attorney(s) will only be given authority after you have been assessed under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It is also possible to limit the power of your attorney(s) in LPA documentation.
The Decisions an Attorney Can Make
If you lack sufficient mental capacity to make such decisions yourself, your attorney(s) can:
- Give or refuse consent to medical treatment (including life-sustaining treatment)
- Discuss your medical records and requirements with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Make decisions concerning dental or optical treatment
- Make decisions concerning where you live. This can include decisions as to whether you remain living in your own home, whether you receive care in your own home or whether you move into a care home that is appropriate for your needs
- Make decisions concerning your day-to-day life, including decisions on your daily activities, your diet and your appearance
It is possible to place restrictions within the document to limit what your attorney(s) can do on your behalf; it is also possible to offer written guidance to your attorneys, should you wish to.
Why Choose JMW?
Our expert wills and probate team has vast experience in helping people in all aspects relating to health and welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney. We will provide the guidance you need to make the entire process as simple and stress-free as possible, giving you the peace of mind that everything is being taken care of properly.
FAQs
- What Else Should I Consider Before Making a Lasting Power of Attorney?
In accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 there are certain safeguards in place for your protection:
- You must appoint a Certificate Provider. This person (who can be your solicitor, doctor or a person whom you have known for two or more years) must sign to confirm that you have sufficient mental capacity, that you understand, and that you are under no pressure to make the Lasting Power of Attorney
- The Lasting Power of Attorney must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used by your attorneys
- You must select at least one person to receive notification of registration of the document with the Office of the Public Guardian
- Can I Limit the Authority That I Give to My Attorney(s)?
Yes, it is possible to place restrictions within the document to limit what your attorney(s) can do on your behalf. It is also possible to offer written guidance to your attorneys should you wish to.
- What Is Life-Sustaining Treatment?
Under a Lasting Power of Attorney (health and welfare) you must decide whether or not you wish your attorney(s) to have the authority to make decisions relating to treatment that can sustain your life if you are unable to. Examples of life-sustaining treatment decisions include whether a life support machine is kept on or turned off, whether a potentially life-saving operation or organ transplant proceeds, or whether to proceed with treatment such as chemotherapy.
- Does Making a Lasting Power of Attorney Affect My Will?
No, the two documents are completely separate. A Lasting Power of Attorney is only effective during your lifetime. On your death the Lasting Power of Attorney shall cease and your will shall take effect. It is important to ensure that you have made a will.
Talk to Us
For more information, or simply to speak to a friendly, experienced solicitor about a health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney, call JMW free on 0345 872 6666 or complete an online enquiry form and we will get back to you at a time that is convenient for you.
