Lasting Power of Attorney

We, as a team of solicitors, provide clear, practical advice to individuals and families who want to put Lasting Powers of Attorney in place. Many people are unsure what an LPA is, when it is needed, or how it works in practice. Our role is to guide you through the process in a straightforward and supportive way, ensuring that everything is properly prepared and reflects your wishes.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legally binding document which allows you to appoint one or more attorneys to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable, or no longer wish, to make those decisions yourself. An LPA remains valid only once it has been properly executed and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. Without a registered LPA, your family may not have the legal authority they require to assist you with your finances or welfare, even if they are your spouse or close relatives.

LPAs form a central part of future planning. They ensure that your voice continues to be heard and respected even in circumstances where you are no longer able to express your wishes.

Two Different Types of LPA

Property and Financial Affairs LPA

Health and Welfare LPA

This enables your attorneys to handle a wide range of financial and property matters. This may include dealing with bank accounts, paying bills, managing investments, releasing pensions, selling or maintaining property and liaising with financial institutions on your behalf. This type of LPA may be used with your consent whilst you have capacity, or automatically if you lose capacity in the future. It therefore assists both in day-to-day support and in safeguarding your affairs in the longer term.

This grants authority to your attorneys to make decisions about your personal welfare and day-to-day living arrangements. These decisions may include matters relating to medical treatment, personal care, care home placement and life-sustaining treatment if you have chosen to give your attorneys this authority. Unlike the financial LPA, a Health and Welfare LPA can only be used if you lack the mental capacity to make a particular decision at the relevant time. It therefore ensures that healthcare professionals and care providers consult those whom you trust most.

Our Services

We offer a complete and tailored service for the preparation and registration of LPAs. This includes:

We approach every matter carefully and with the intention of providing clarity, reassurance and confidence in the decisions you are making.

• Initial consultation to understand your circumstances, priorities and intentions

• Advice on selecting appropriate attorneys and replacement attorneys

• Detailed guidance on the scope of attorney powers and how these may be tailored to suit your needs

• Advice on incorporating preferences and legally binding instructions to ensure your wishes are clearly set out

• Drafting of all documentation in compliance with statutory requirements and best practice

• Arranging execution of the documents and assisting all parties to sign in the correct sequence

• Acting as your certificate provider where appropriate and where permitted by the rules

• Preparing and submitting applications to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration

• Managing correspondence with the Office of the Public Guardian and dealing with any requisitions raised during the registration process

• Safeguarding and securely storing your documents if required

About Us

We are a team of solicitors, committed to delivering high-quality private client services with an emphasis on clarity, reliability and professionalism. Our firm, Scott Moncrieff & Associates LTD, adheres to the highest standards of legal practice, and we take great care to ensure that every client is treated with respect and understanding. We work with individuals, families and carers and provide thoughtful, attentive and practical advice at every stage.

Who Can Act as an Attorney

Your attorneys must be individuals whom you trust implicitly. They must be over 18 and must have the mental capacity to act. For financial LPAs, an attorney must not be bankrupt. Attorneys may be family members, close friends or professional advisers. We offer detailed advice to ensure that the individuals you appoint are appropriate for their role and understand the obligations they will be taking on.

Our Fees

We offer clear and competitive fixed fees for preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney, with pricing structured to reflect your individual requirements. Our fees cover the full process, from initial advice through to completion and registration.

Current fee structure:

Single client (one type of LPA)

£395 plus VAT

Single client (both types of LPA)

£500 plus VAT

Two clients (one type of LPA)

£600 plus VAT

Two clients (both types of LPA)

£900 plus VAT

CONTACT US

If you would like to discuss Lasting Powers of Attorney or any other aspect of future planning, please contact us. We would be pleased to speak with you and offer initial guidance without obligation. Whether you wish to put LPAs in place for yourself or require advice on behalf of a family member, we are here to help.