Coodes lawyer supports Solicitors for the Elderly’s Lasting Power of Attorney campaign

Sarah Cornish outlines why she supports Solicitors for the Elderly’s campaign on the importance of getting specialist legal advice when setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney.

“Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) has published its report, ‘The Hidden Cost of DIY LPAs’, in response to the growing trend of people setting up a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) themselves using online services.

“This campaign from Solicitors for the Elderly comes just days after figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are now the leading cause of death in England and Wales. The fact that so many of us will, sadly, be affected by these conditions in the future underlines the importance of preparing for the possibility of ‘losing capacity’.

“Losing capacity means you have been affected by a condition like dementia or have suffered a brain injury that prevents you from being able to make decisions yourself. An LPA designates a person, or group of people, to be your attorney, with the authority to make key decisions on your behalf. Our recent blog explains more about what an LPA is and how to go about setting one up.

“I fully support SFE’s campaign to encourage people to seek expert advice when putting in place such an important legal document. LPAs can cover all key aspects of your life, from your finances to your medical care and where you wish to live. An experienced lawyer will not only ensure the document is correctly completed and registered but will also discuss all aspects of the LPA with you, so you can properly consider your options and make the decisions that are right for you.”

For advice on any aspect on Lasting Power of Attorney please contact the team on 0800 328 3282 or info@coodes.co.uk