Lasting Powers of Attorney
Secure your future decisions with an LPA
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a powerful legal document that lets you appoint trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose capacity. It ensures your wishes are followed and that someone you choose — not the courts — can step in to manage your finances, health or care when needed.
At Ridgeway Wills, we provide a complete, professional LPA service, guiding you through every step and ensuring your documents are drafted correctly.
Why Set Up An LPA?
Life is unpredictable, and an LPA ensures that if you ever lose the ability to make decisions—through illness, accident or age—the people you trust can step in and act on your behalf. Without an LPA, your spouse or family have no automatic legal authority to manage your finances, make medical decisions or deal with your day to day affairs.
If you lose capacity without an LPA in place:
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Your family cannot access your bank accounts
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Joint accounts may be frozen
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No one has the legal authority to pay your bills or manage your property
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Medical professionals may overrule your family’s preferences
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Your loved ones must apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship order
This court process can take 6–12 months, cost up to £4,000–£5,000 per person, and places your family under significant stress at an already difficult time.
An LPA avoids all of this. It gives someone you trust the legal authority to act for you, protects your assets, and ensures your wishes are respected.
Many people put an LPA in place as part of a wider estate‑planning strategy, which often includes preparing a Will and, in some cases, setting up a Trust depending on their circumstances.
What Are the Two Types of LPA?
Property & Financial Affairs LPA
Allows someone you trust to manage your finances, property and assets - including paying bills, accessing bank accounts, managing investments and pensions,
claiming benefits and handling tax matters.
Your attorney can:
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Manage bank accounts and pay bills
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Access, buy or sell property
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Oversee investments, pensions, savings
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Deal with income, benefits, tax affairs
You can choose whether this LPA can be used immediately (with your permission) or only if you lose capacity.
This LPA helps prevent family disputes and ensures your finances are managed smoothly.
Health & Welfare
LPA
Allows you to choose who will make decisions about your care, treatment and daily wellbeing if you can no longer make decisions yourself. It only comes into effect when you lose capacity, ensuring your attorney steps in when you need them.
Your attorney can make decisions about:
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Medical treatment and care plans
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Life‑sustaining treatment (if you choose to give this authority)
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Where you live, including care home or hospital decisions
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Your daily care and personal welfare
This LPA ensures your wishes are respected, even when you cannot express them yourself.
Our Simple Process
1
Initial Consultation
We take time to understand your circumstances and identify which LPAs are right for you. We guide you through choosing attorneys and replacement attorneys and any preferences you want to include, explaining how decisions will work in practice.
2
Draft, Review & Approve Documents
We prepare your draft LPAs and upload them to our secure portal for you to review at your own convenience. You can check each section carefully and request any changes needed before giving final approval.
3
Sign, Witness & Register
We provide clear, step‑by‑step guidance on signing and witnessing your LPAs correctly, then we take care of the registration with the Office of the Public Guardian. You’ll also receive certified copies for your attorneys and family.
Who Needs an LPA?
LPAs are valuable for anyone who wants to:
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Choose who makes decisions for you (rather than the courts)
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Protect their home, savings or business
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Ensure their partner or family can manage their affairs
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Control who makes medical and care decisions
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Avoid long and costly court applications
Situations where people commonly set up LPAs include:
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Planning ahead whilst in good health
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Wanting protection in case of stroke, accident or sudden illness
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Early‑stage dementia, memory concerns or health concerns
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When managing long‑term medical treatment
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Business owners who need continuity if they’re unable to act
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Adults supporting elderly parents
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When taking on caring responsibilities for a partner
Contact
Like what you see? Get in touch to learn more.
Contact Ridgeway Wills to start planning for your family's future today.
East Sheen, London, SW14