Figures recently released have shown that fewer people have been registering a Power of Attorney, amid the pandemic. It appears that lockdown is forcing many people to delay setting up a Power of Attorney and this could certainly cause unnecessary difficulties further down the line.
Many people believe that a family member or next of kin can simply step in and make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself, but this is a widely held misconception. The only way in which you can give authority to another person to make decisions on your behalf is a Power of Attorney. By making a Power of Attorney, you are giving your Attorney authority to make decisions about both your personal welfare and your property and finances, should you require assistance in the future.
When you call to arrange an appointment to make a Power of Attorney, there are some important things that you might wish to ask the solicitor:
- What is the cost of a Power of Attorney and does this include the fee to arrange for it to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian?
- What qualifications and experience does the solicitor have?
- Do they offer home visits and/ or longer appointments. A home visit might make someone feel more comfortable than attending a strange office and you might also want to think about whether the person is more able in the morning or afternoon and make the appointment at the best time.
- Will the solicitor send out information in advance? This will allow time to think about things and formulate questions if needs be.
Our private client team are experts in dealing with this matter and understand it can be a challenging and emotional process. They can provide thoughtful advice and help you navigate the challenges and explore all options, to ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.