Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are the legal and recommended way to put in place suitable measures to protect your assets during your lifetime.

Whilst the major purpose and benefit of these is to assist you in the event you lose capacity, there are certain circumstances in which an LPA can be used before you lose capacity.

Any decisions relating to your Health and welfare, such as medical care , where you live or your day to day routine, can only be taken by your appointed attorney in the event of you losing capacity.

However you can enable your appointed attorney to make decisions relating to your property and financial affairs before you lose capacity, should you wish to do so.

These would include decisions surrounding money, tax, bills, pensions, benefits, bank accounts etc.

You can enable your appointed attorney to make such decisions for you prior to your losing capacity by stating this within the power of attorney or by subsequently asking them to do so.

This can be of assistance for people who have difficulty managing their financial or property affairs whilst not lacking capacity, such as where you are physically incapacitated on a temporary or permanent basis.

There are strict rules on how an attorney can manage your money in such instances.