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Lasting Power of Attorney in Croxley Green, Rickmansworth & Watford
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets you choose people you trust to make decisions about your money or your care if you're ever unable to make them yourself. Horcos prepares LPAs for a fixed fee agreed in writing before we start, with money-saving packages when combined with your Will, and home visits across South Hertfordshire and Middlesex. We handle the paperwork so nothing gets rejected on a technicality.
"My family can decide for me": the costly myth
Many people assume that if illness or an accident left them unable to manage their affairs, their spouse or children could simply step in. They can't. Without an LPA, your family has no automatic legal right to access your bank account, pay your bills from your money, or make decisions about your care, even a husband or wife.
Instead, they would have to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as your "deputy": a process that is slow, expensive, ongoing, and decided by a court rather than by you. An LPA avoids all of that. You choose who acts for you, set the ground rules, and it costs a fraction of a deputyship. But it must be set up while you still have mental capacity. That's why the right time is now, while you're well.
The two types of LPA
There are two separate documents, covering different decisions. Most of our clients make both at the same time; it's more cost-effective and means every base is covered.
Property & financial affairs LPA
Lets your attorneys deal with:
- Bank and building society accounts
- Paying bills and collecting benefits or pensions
- Managing investments
- Buying or selling property
When it can be used: as soon as it's registered, with your permission (useful if getting out becomes difficult), or only if you lose capacity. You decide.
Health & welfare LPA
Lets your attorneys decide on:
- Your daily routine: washing, dressing, eating
- Medical care and treatment
- Moving into a care home, and which one
- Life-sustaining treatment, if you choose to give them that power
When it can be used: only once you've lost the capacity to make these decisions yourself.
Other powers of attorney
Ordinary power of attorney
Covers your financial affairs while you still have mental capacity. Suited to temporary situations (a hospital stay, extended travel), or if getting out and about is hard and you'd like someone to act for you.
Enduring power of attorney (EPA)
EPAs were replaced by LPAs in October 2007, but if you signed one before 1 October 2007 it should still be valid for property and financial affairs. EPAs can't cover health and care decisions, so if you have one, it's worth adding a health & welfare LPA alongside it. We can review yours and advise.
How it works
LPA forms are rejected surprisingly often over small errors: signatures in the wrong order, missing dates, unclear instructions. We make sure yours goes through first time.
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Free chat
We talk through what you want to cover, who your attorneys might be, and confirm your fixed fee in writing.
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Home visit
We meet at your home (or by video/phone) to go through your choices: attorneys, substitutes, how they should act, and any preferences or instructions.
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Paperwork prepared
We complete the LPA forms, arrange the certificate provider, and guide everyone through signing in the correct order.
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Registration
The LPA is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. We'll advise on the registration fee, check whether you qualify for a reduction or exemption, and keep things on track.
LPA questions, answered
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A legal document that lets you appoint people you trust, your attorneys, to make decisions for you if you can't make them yourself, or no longer want to. There are two types: property & financial affairs, and health & welfare.
What's the difference between the two types?
The property & financial affairs LPA covers money, bills and property, and can be used as soon as it's registered if you allow it. The health & welfare LPA covers care and medical decisions, and can only be used once you've lost capacity. Most people make both.
Can't my next of kin just decide for me?
No. Without an LPA, even your spouse has no automatic right to manage your money or direct your care. Your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship: slower, dearer, and decided by a court rather than by you.
How much does an LPA cost?
Our fees are fixed and agreed in writing before we start, with money-saving packages when you combine LPAs with your Will. The Office of the Public Guardian also charges a registration fee of £92 per LPA; reductions and exemptions apply on lower incomes and certain benefits, and we'll check whether you qualify.
When does an LPA come into effect?
Only after it's registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, which typically takes several weeks. That waiting period is exactly why LPAs should be set up early: an unregistered LPA is no help in an emergency.
Can I choose more than one attorney?
Yes, and you can decide whether they must act together on everything, or can act independently, or a mix. You can also name replacement attorneys in case someone can't act when the time comes. We'll help you weigh up the options.
Is my EPA from before 2007 still valid?
If signed before 1 October 2007, yes, but it only covers property and finances, not health and care. Many clients keep their EPA and add a health & welfare LPA alongside it. Bring it to your appointment and we'll review it.
Sorting out your affairs properly? Most clients arrange their LPAs at the same time as making or updating their Will. One visit covers both. If you'd also like to record your wishes about medical treatment, see our living Wills page.
Put the right people in charge, before it's needed
Book a free, no-obligation chat about Lasting Powers of Attorney. Plain English, no pressure.
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