Lasting Power of Attorney ("LPA")


Lasting Powers of Attorney ("LPAs") came into being on 1 October 2007. Existing Enduring Powers of Attorney ("EPAs") at that date (whether registered or not) are still be valid.

The Property & Affairs LPA replaced EPAs and has much the same effect. The Personal Welfare LPA, for the first time, allows you to appoint someone to make welfare and medical decisions (including life sustaining decisions) on your behalf if you do not have capacity to do so yourself.

If you want an LPA you do not have to have both types of LPA and, indeed, if you have an EPA you can replace it with an LPA and/or add a Personal Welfare LPA .

LPAs are be more complex than EPAs (involving at least one person to certify that you are aware of what you are doing when you write an LPA. So, inevitably, LPAs are more expensive to prepare than the previous EPAs

In addition to a Personal Welfare LPA you can make an Advanced Decision. This document gives instructions to doctors treating you in the future about not wishing to be kept alive in certain circumstances, if you are not able to give these instructions yourself.

The Moneta Partnership Ltd prepares and advises on LPAs