A surprising number of people still do not have a will that need one. An even more surprising number of people have not thought about making a Power of Attorney, which is something that can prove to be one of the most important documents that you have while you are alive.

The proper name for one of these is a Lasting Power of Attorney, and it is a document that authorises someone to look after your affairs and property if you become ill or mentally unable to deal with those things yourself. Such circumstances arise more often than you think! Without this document, if you become ill or incapable, your bank accounts etc will become frozen and no-one will have the power to handle your day to day bill payments and so on. If you do not have a Lasting Power of Attorney, it is still possible to apply to the court to obtain what is known as a Deputyship, but this procedure is much more expensive and stressful at a time which is already stressful enough. It is also subject to the ongoing scrutiny of the Office of the Public Guardian and requires submission of regular and detailed accounts by the Deputy.

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney – Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare. The first one allows your attorney to deal with day to day financial matters as well as some more substantial ones, and the latter enables them to deal with your medical needs.