Starting conversations about a power of attorney can be a little daunting, and understandably so. After all, it raises questions about when a person can no longer manage to make decisions for themselves, which is of course a daunting prospect.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document which formally nominates a person – or persons – to be able to act on behalf of another person, should that person be deemed not to be able to make decisions on their own. There are two types: one that covers health and welfare, and another that relates only to financial affairs.
Having this document signed means that a person’s financial and medical decisions can be managed by a loved one who will act in their best interests, rather than by medical professionals who don’t really know the person in question, according to Gov.UK.
When should we discuss setting up a power of attorney?
The power of attorney document needs to be agreed upon and signed when the person in question is still deemed to have capacity. That is to say, they must be capable of understanding the implications of a power of attorney, selecting a suitable representative and signing the document.
While it can sound a little frightening to discuss a time when you no longer have the capacity or ability to make your own financial or health decisions, it’s actually just really good common sense to have these legal documents in place. Arguably, more of us should be getting a power of attorney in place just as a safety net in case illnesses or accidents cause problems in future. Fortunately, this is even easier with a power of attorney online offered by specialists such as https://powerofattorneyonline.
So, don’t be daunted by the idea of getting a power of attorney, whether it is for you or for a relative. It’s simply a good way to protect yourself in the future and avoid any potential issues with financial or health decisions further down the road.
