Most people understand that a Will deals with what happens after death.
But what happens if you are alive but unable to make decisions for yourself?
This is where a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can become extremely important.
An LPA allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions on your behalf if the relevant legal requirements are met.
There are two main types.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This can cover matters such as:
- managing bank accounts;
- paying bills;
- dealing with property;
- managing investments;
- handling financial affairs.
It can be particularly useful if you become unable to manage your finances yourself.
Health and Welfare LPA
This relates to decisions about your personal welfare.
It can cover matters such as:
- where you live;
- day-to-day care;
- medical treatment;
- life-sustaining treatment, where the appropriate authority has been given.
The government guidance confirms that LPAs are governed by specific requirements concerning capacity, attorneys, preferences and instructions.
“My family can just deal with everything”
This is a common misconception.
Being someone’s spouse, partner, child or parent does not automatically give you unrestricted authority over their finances.
If someone loses mental capacity without having made an appropriate LPA, their family may need to consider an application to the Court of Protection.
That can be considerably more complicated, time-consuming and expensive than putting an LPA in place while the person has capacity.
You need mental capacity to make an LPA
This is one of the most important reasons not to leave it until there is a crisis.
An LPA is something you make in advance.
If you wait until you have lost the necessary mental capacity, it may be too late to make one.
LPAs and estate planning
An LPA does not replace a Will.
They do completely different jobs.
A Will deals primarily with your estate after death.
An LPA helps with decision-making during your lifetime.
Good estate planning therefore often considers both.
The law and official guidance around LPAs also continue to evolve. The government’s current LPA guidance was updated in April 2026.
Who should you appoint?
This deserves careful thought.
Your attorney will potentially have significant authority.
You should choose someone you trust and consider whether you want to appoint one attorney or more than one.
You can also include preferences and instructions within the LPA.
For families in Dereham, Norfolk and Norwich, an LPA can be one of the most practical documents you ever put in place.
Because the uncomfortable truth is this:
You don’t make an LPA because you expect something to happen. You make one because you want to remain in control if something does.