Power of Attorney Advice

[poobumwee]

Hoping someone can offer some advice. Recently found out my father is very unwell. Father has mental capacity. If he wanted to put a POA in place, could someone explain the different types and what would be best in UK? Also, it would not necessarily need to be used consistently-if father is able to manage things from time to time, can he still manage things without the attorney while he is able? I'm just trying to understand what we should consider now, to make things easier for him and my mother long term. Thank you in advance

Link to government website: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

There are different ones to cover health and property and affairs.

Thank you Minnie

There are different regimes in Scotland and England so check you’re looking at the right information. Make sure you discuss all possible things you will need to do...access bank accounts, deal with pensions etc, sell property, make welfare decisions on their behalf.

Sign them and register them immediately! I think lots of people do the initial bit but then don’t get round to signing them then something happened and they need to act but can’t remember where the paperwork is etc.

You need to make sure you get them filled in and sorted out whilst he has mental capacity and you might want to consider doing your Mum's at the same time. My DHs Mum was too far gone before we knew it (she lived abroad at the time and his Dad hid it) and it was a total nightmare without it. Having to apply to the court of protection for every little thing we needed to buy. Mum's just says that we will use the POAs as and when a doctor diagnoses that she has lost her mental capacity. They are really easy to do online and once you've done one and start the second it gives you the options to choose the same people so it's much quicker to fill in. DH and I have done ours already after hearing about a case where a wife had no say in her DHs medical treatment because they didn't have one in place. Medical personnel were trying to put him in a home against her wishes and it was a very stressful time for her and we didn't want that to happen to us

Don't use one of the companies who charge £1500 to do. It is simple to do yourself

Thank you for your advice everyone!