Why should I pay a legal professional to prepare my Lasting Powers of Attorney when I can do it for free?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you, as the donor, to appoint others, known as attorneys, to manage your affairs if you are unable to do so due to a lack of capacity. Lasting Powers of Attorney are underpinned by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and act as an insurance policy in the event that you lose mental capacity in the future.

The DIY market for creating Lasting Powers of Attorney has grown rapidly in recent years. While a person is free to undertake this process themselves, the risks of potential issues arising in the future far outweigh the cost of obtaining robust legal advice. Without such advice, the LPA may not provide attorneys with adequate information to make informed decisions on behalf of the donor. By the time a person loses mental capacity, it is too late to make any changes to the LPA. This could result in higher costs overall if the Court of Protection needed to become involved in managing your affairs because the LPA was not effective.

Obtaining legal advice provides assurance and peace of mind that your wishes and feelings are clearly set out. Preparing your LPAs involves more than simply completing a form, and professional guidance is well worth the cost.

If you would like to discuss LPA's and their benefits, please get in touch with us on 01892 662233 or reception@dwlaw-online.com.