There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), and both serve different – but equally vital – purposes. It’s important to understand what each one does, who it covers, and why most people need both .

1. Property & Financial Affairs LPA

This allows people you trust (your ‘attornys’) to make decisions about your money and property if you become unable to do so yourself.

Your attorney can potentially:

• Access your bank and building society accounts
• Pay your bills and manage your household finances
• Collect your pension or benefits
• Sell or manage your property (with your permission or if you lose capacity)

You can choose to let them act immediately (with your permission), or only if you lose mental capacity. This type of LPA is especially useful for people who travel often, live abroad, or have declining health.

2. Health & Welfare LPA

This LPA allows your attorney to make decisions about your **health, care, and wellbeing** – but only if you lose mental capacity. (Which means that you are unable to make a decision with a reasonable time depending on how urgent the decision is, despite help.

Some decisions are critical and urgent.

Others could be left for months without causing problems.

Your attorney can:

• Make decisions about your daily care (e.g. washing, dressing, eating)
• Choose where you live and who looks after you (whilst the Finance Attorneys pay the bills, though they are often the same people.)
• Speak with doctors and care providers on your behalf.
• Give or refuse consent to life-sustaining treatment – **if you choose to allow this**

This is about protecting your voice. If something happens to you, your family can speak up with legal authority, rather than being sidelined by professionals. And you can express your views in the Lasting Power of Attorney documents.

Do I Need Both Types of LPA?

In almost all cases, yes. These LPAs cover different parts of your life – your finances and your health – and one doesn’t replace the other. Having both gives complete protection and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

It is not much use being able to sell your home to move you somewhere more suitable, but need Court permission to move you – which might not be granted, and won’t be cheap.

Still not sure which you need? That’s what I’m here for. Let’s have a quick chat and I’ll guide you through it all – simply, clearly and with no pressure.