Lasting power of attorney: a matter of trust

• Offers advice on safeguards and protections in the lasting power of attorney document.
• Sets out questions to ask and points to consider when clients are choosing potential appointees.

The role of private client solicitors is to ensure our clients understand that a lasting power of attorney is one of the most important documents they can sign. If we do not advise our clients properly or if clients make poor choices as to their attorneys, their finances and health may be left unprotected. More seriously, they leave themselves open to losing their assets to an unscrupulous attorney.

Take your time

For the above reasons, we need to spend time understanding the client, their needs, their estate, wishes and feelings, and how they take decisions for themselves. Once we have these details and have a feel for how the client would like decisions to be