You hear all sorts of stories about setting up a Power of Attorney.
However, stories vary from difficult and expensive to easy and straightforward, prompting doubt about simplicity.
Who do you believe?
Well as you may guess … it depends.
Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can be a bit of a mixed experience, depending on your circumstances and how comfortable you are with the paperwork. As with many things, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. What’s easy for one person might be challenging for another.
On the one hand, the application process isn’t inherently complex. Additionally, many people can handle it on their own. As long as you’re careful with the details, you can manage it. This includes having the right people involved (donors, certificate providers, attorneys). Ensuring the paperwork is in the right order helps avoid mistakes. It’s very doable without a solicitor. Doing it yourself is also cheaper. This simplicity makes the DIY route appealing.
But here is where it gets tricky: the forms require attention to detail. Missing something, like a signature in the wrong place or incorrect information, could delay things or even invalidate the LPA. Worse, someone might make a mistake that won’t be challenged. You may find the LPA invalidated when you need it most.
If you’re not confident about getting it right or if your situation is more complex (like if you have property abroad, or business interests), you might want to think about getting some legal advice.
Additionally, if you’re not familiar with official forms, the process could feel overwhelming. That is where someone with experience, like a friend, family member, or professional, could be a big help.
At the end of the day, it’s about deciding what feels best for you. If you feel comfortable navigating it yourself, go for it. But don’t hesitate to ask for help if you feel unsure it could just be money well spent.
Use the LPA Agency website to get a better understanding of what is involved. We suggest you do your homework first. This alone might just be enough to set you on your way to handle everything yourself. If that’s the case then we are happy to be of service and hope everything works out for you.
If , however, once you have a greater understanding of what is required you decide that you will need help then we offer a low cost service to assist you all the way.
Why not start here