Expert answers power of attorney question

Legal expert Phillipa Kerr-Bruce has explained how people can make sure that their affairs are dealt with effectively if they reach a stage where they can no longer make their own decisions.

One individual said that they and their wife have drawn up powers of attorney but have since heard about a new initiative, an enduring power of attorney.

They asked Thisismoney.co.uk if they should begin again or if their original documents were still valid.

In reply, legal expert Ms Kerr-Bruce explained that a power of attorney referred to paperwork where an individual ruled that someone could act on their behalf.

She said that people who can still make decisions for themselves can use the ordinary power, but that an individual who wants another to act on their behalf when they cannot should use a lasting power of attorney or an enduring power of attorney.

Ms Kerr-Bruce told the reader that if an enduring power was made prior to the close of October 2007 it is still valid.

Those who do not already have this or wish to replace it should devise a lasting power of attorney.

However, those who do give lasting power of attorney to someone should make sure that they can trust them sufficiently to carry out the role.

Published by Hannah Carr