If you are searching for ‘Lasting power of attorney solicitors Chester’ the expert team at Bartlett’s is on hand to help. We take the time to understand your circumstances and to explain the decisions involved in making a lasting power of attorney, including who should act for you, what those people will be able to do, and when they will be able to do it.
To speak to our experts, please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
What Should You Expect From Our Lasting Power Of Attorney Solicitors In Chester?
Our solicitors get to know you and your family, and to understand your finances and your health. We explain your options in language that makes sense rather than legal jargon, so that you leave our offices understanding not just what you have signed, but why.
We support clients making lasting powers of attorney regularly, and we approach it in a caring, empathetic, and personal way. Planning for a time when you may not be able to make your own decisions is not an easy subject, and we do not rush clients through it.
How Do You Decide Who To Appoint As Your Attorney?
This is the single most important decision in the process, and it is where good advice matters. Your attorney will potentially have authority over your bank accounts, your property and, if you make a health and welfare document, your medical care. The right person is not automatically the eldest child or the nearest relative. They need to be trustworthy, reasonably organised, comfortable dealing with banks and paperwork, and willing to take the role on.
We will talk through the practical questions that people often overlook. Should you appoint more than one attorney, and if so, should they act together on everything or be able to act independently? Requiring unanimity sounds safer, but it can leave your affairs frozen if one attorney is abroad, unwell, or has died. Should you name a replacement in case an attorney can no longer act? Is it wise to appoint someone who lives far away, or who does not get on with the rest of the family? Thinking these through at the outset can prevent problems later.
Can You Include Your Own Instructions And Preferences?
Yes, and this is another area where wording matters. You can include instructions, which your attorneys must follow, and preferences, which they should take into account. You might wish to state your views on how your money is invested, that a particular property should not be sold unless it is unavoidable, or how you would like to be cared for and where. Instructions drafted carelessly can be unclear, and an overly rigid instruction can leave your attorneys unable to act sensibly when circumstances change. We help you express what matters to you in terms that will work in practice.
How Does A Solicitor Avoid Delays At Registration?
A lasting power of attorney has no effect until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, and applications are regularly rejected or held up because of errors. We prepare the document, oversee the signing so that each step happens in the correct sequence, and handle the registration on your behalf. That removes the administrative burden from you and reduces the risk of the document being deemed ineffective at the very moment you and your family need it.
What If Capacity Has Already Been Lost?
An LPA can only be made while the person still has the capacity to understand it. If that point has passed, the route is an application to the Court of Protection for a deputy to be appointed. We can help with this process as well. Our team includes specialists in Court of Protection work, including deputyship applications and advice on managing an individual’s finances afterwards. If you are unsure which situation applies to your relative, speak to us and we will advise you honestly on the right course of action.
Why Choose Bartletts In Chester?
Bartletts Solicitors has been established for more than 160 years and has over 60 staff across our offices in Liverpool, Chester, and Wrexham. Our Chester wills and probate team can advise on lasting powers of attorney alongside your will, trusts, and inheritance tax planning, so your arrangements work together rather than in isolation.
If you would like to discuss the possibility of making a Lasting Power of Attorney, our solicitors would be glad to help. If you would like to meet with us in person but cannot make the journey to our offices, we will happily visit you at home to discuss your options and walk you through the process.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
