Power of Attorney Lawyers
Power of Attorney Lawyers East Lothian
At a time when people are living longer, a Power of Attorney can be invaluable when help becomes required – perhaps as a result of an accident, a stroke or the onset of dementia. We recommend all adults make a Power of Attorney as you never know when this might be needed.
Our Power of Attorney lawyers have many years’ experience working with local families and individuals to ensure they have peace of mind in case their circumstances significantly change in the future. We understand making these decisions is not easy, and the law can be confusing. We are here to make matters clear and stress-free.
To find out more about our Power of Attorney service, please contact us today.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Continuing or Welfare Power of Attorney appoints one or more trusted individuals to act on your behalf in relation to financial matters or issues affecting your personal welfare and, importantly, will remain valid even if you can no longer manage your own affairs. Ideally, you should grant a Power of Attorney when you are in good health and before there is any question of incapacity.
While family members will often try to assist, most banks, pension companies and other agencies will insist on formal authority. Being a relative is not enough to allow that person to manage your affairs. If no Power of Attorney is in place, then the only option may be to apply to the court for a Guardianship Order, which is very costly, time-consuming and can be stressful for all concerned.
What are the different types of Power of Attorney?
Power of Attorneys in Scotland come in three different forms:
- Continuing Power of Attorney – permits your Attorney to make financial decisions, for example relating to your bank accounts and property.
- Welfare Power of Attorney – grants authority to make medical and other personal welfare decisions.
- Combined Power of Attorney – allows your Attorney to manage both your welfare and financial affairs.
How can we help with your Power of Attorney?
At Paris Steele, our lawyers are here to make sure your individual wishes are clearly and fully set out and that they will be enforceable if you become unable to manage your affairs in the future. The document must be carefully drafted so that no questions can be raised about your true intentions. This can be complicated, but our Power of Attorney lawyers have extensive skills in drafting watertight documents.
Once your Power of Attorney is final, we will make sure it is signed correctly and registered with the Scottish Office of the Public Guardian. We recommend you review the document regularly and update it to account for any changes in your circumstances. It is a sensible move to do this at the same time as reviewing your Will.
Power of Attorney Planner
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