Sadly, not all of us will remain perfectly healthy throughout the course of our life. There may come a time whereby you lose the ability to manage your welfare and finances. To offer you protection in this scenario, our powers of attorney solicitors in Pontypridd can help.
A lasting power of attorney refers to a legal document. The document is used to appoint one or more individuals to make decisions about your welfare and finances if you lack the mental capacity to do so yourself.
Our specialist team of solicitors have extensive experience in supporting clients to create lasting powers of attorneys. We can support you with matters such as:
- Offering guidance on choosing a trusted person as your power of attorney
- Establishing how you would like your welfare and finances will be handled
- Specifying the rights and powers that your chosen person will have
- Support with disputes related to powers of attorney
- Removing a power of attorney
Contact our power of attorney solicitors
To discuss appointing a power of attorney, please get in touch with our expert powers of attorney solicitors in Pontypridd. You can call us on 01443 542098, or use our quick form to make an enquiry.
Why use David W Harris as your power of attorney solicitors?
At David W Harris, our gifted solicitors have a breadth of experience in handling a wide range of legal matters. You’ll find our team to be approachable and sensitive. They’ll always ensure that you understand the implications of your legal decisions according to the Powers of Attorney Act 1971.
We understand that appointing a power of attorney may feel a little daunting and that you are likely to have many queries about the processes. Our lawyers will promptly address all of your questions and ensure that you feel happy with your decisions.
If you would like to discuss your case with our powers of attorney lawyers in Pontypridd, please get in touch.
Our power of attorney expertise
Power of attorney legal advice
Before you appoint a power of attorney, it is important to receive independent legal advice and ensure that you understand the process. Our solicitors will educate you on the implications of the legal document and the associated stages.
It is important that you understand the relevant power of attorney rights before proceeding. Our team will ensure that you do so whilst attending to any worries you may have.
Support selecting your attorneys
After providing you with general power of attorney legal advice, we will offer you support to select your attorney(s).
If you wish, you can choose more than one person to act as an attorney for you. You can also decide which authority level your attorneys are granted and which of your affairs they will deal with. We can also help you to decide if your attorneys will work on decisions together or act separately for different legal matters.
Creating a lasting power of attorney
Once you have chosen a suitable person, our power of attorney lawyers in Pontypridd will support you complete the powers of attorney form, establishing a legally binding LPA.
Creating a lasting power of attorney means that the attorney will only be permitted to manage your affairs if you lack mental capacity. It is also possible to appoint an ‘ordinary power of attorney’. This allows you to choose a person to support you when you still have mental capacity.
There are different types of powers of attorney, which include:
Health and welfare LPA: These attorneys are appointed to make decisions regarding medical treatment, your daily welfare activities, or receiving care.
Property and financial matters LPA: These attorneys are appointed to make decisions regarding things like paying bills, selling property, or managing your bank account.
In many cases, one individual will act as both types of attorneys for a person who lacks mental capacity (otherwise referred to as the donor).
Power of attorney disputes
Unfortunately, disputes may arise with regard to power of attorney. For example, if it is believed that the individual did not have the required mental capacity to consent to appointing a power of attorney.
It could also be that the person’s family are concerned that their LPA isn’t handling their affairs properly. The attorney may be neglecting their duty of care under the power of attorney act. Circumstances that may have occurred include:
- The attorney is mishandling the person’s finances or stealing
- The attorney is making ill-judged decisions about the person’s property
- They are making questionable choices about that individuals’ nursing care.
Under power of attorney law, the appointed attorney has an obligation to act with the best interests of the donor in mind. Our powers of attorney lawyers in Pontypridd can support you in resolving your dispute or escalating matters where appropriate.
Removing a power of attorney
Where power of attorney disputes cannot be resolved, the donor or their family may require assistance in removing power of attorney.
Where a person has mental capacity, they can have the LPA removed by completing the relevant forms and submitting these to the Office of the Public Guardian. If you are acting for a loved one who no longer has mental capacity, you will need to contact the OPG yourself.
Removing an attorney can be a complicated process, yet our solicitors have much experience in this area and can offer all the support that you need.
For legal advice on powers of attorney in Pontypridd, please get in touch with our lawyers to discuss your case today.
Our power of attorney solicitors’ legal fees
Where appropriate, our solicitors may be able to offer fixed fees to create a lasting power of attorney. Depending on the level of service you require, your case may be more appropriately charged at an hourly rate.
Regardless of your fee structure, our solicitors will ensure that you receive an accurate price breakdown at the start. See our lasting power of attorney fees here, or give us a call for an initial consultation.
Contact our power of attorney solicitors
To discuss appointing a power of attorney, please get in touch with our expert powers of attorney solicitors in Pontypridd. You can call us on 01443 542098, or use our quick form to make an enquiry.