If you’re wondering how to get Power of Attorney, you’re making a wise and important decision. At The Will Centre in Plymouth, we have been advising and obtaining Power of Attorney for our clients since 1993 across Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Here’s a step‑by‑step guide on how to get Power of Attorney in England and Wales.
1. Understand What a Power of Attorney Is
Knowing how to get Power of Attorney starts with understanding its purpose. A Power of Attorney allows someone you trust (your “attorney”) to make decisions on your behalf, especially if you lose mental capacity.
2. Choose the Type of Power of Attorney
To understand how to get Power of Attorney, you must pick between:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA
- Health and Welfare LPA
At The Will Centre, we can help you arrange a General Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney, ensuring complete control over your Property & Financial Affairs, such as bank accounts and your home, or only certain assets for a specific period. We can also help with Health and Welfare matters.
3. Choose Your Attorney(s)
Learning how to get Power of Attorney also means selecting trusted people. They must be 18 or older and can be relatives, friends, or professionals.
4. Get the Forms
At The Will Centre, we take care of obtaining all the required Power of Attorney forms for you. You won’t need to worry about tracking down documents or navigating government websites, we handle the paperwork so you don’t have to.
5. Complete the Forms
Our experienced team will fill out all the necessary sections for you, ensuring every detail is accurate and complete. This step is critical – mistakes or missing information can cause costly delays. With our help, you can be confident everything is done correctly the first time.
6. Sign and Witness the Forms
To understand how to get Power of Attorney properly, you must sign it first (with a witness), then have your certificate provider and attorneys sign.
7. Register the LPA
Learning how to get Power of Attorney includes registering it with the Office of the Public Guardian. Registration takes 8–10 weeks and involves a fee.
8. Notify Relevant Parties
Another key part of how to get Power of Attorney is notifying certain people (such as relatives). They have three weeks to raise any objections.
9. Begin Using the LPA
Once registered, your attorneys can use it. Understanding how to get Power of Attorney means knowing when and how it can be used, ensuring it serves its intended purpose.
Based in Plymouth, The Will Centre can provide you with expert, specialised advice on your current Power of Attorney or putting one in place. This could be for a temporary period, such as a long hospital stay when you need someone to pay your bills, or as a long‑term plan if you have been diagnosed with an illness such as dementia. By putting everything in place now, you ensure all your affairs will be taken care of when you are unable.
Knowing how to get Power of Attorney is vital for long‑term planning, providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones. At The Will Centre, our dedicated team has been supporting families across Plymouth and the surrounding areas with Power of Attorney services since 1993. Contact us today to ensure your loved ones are protected when it matters most.
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