Powers of attorney: Your questions

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live Monday, 17 September 2007, at 1502 BST On Radio 4 and Online Read the transcript (19 pages)

On Moneybox Live Vincent Duggleby and guests took your calls on appointing someone else to manage your affairs.

From October 2007, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) will replace Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) in England and Wales.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document appointing a person or persons of your choice to be your attorney(s).

There will be two different types of LPA:

a property and financial affairs LPA, similar to an EPA

a personal health and welfare LPA, which can include provisions for giving or refusing consent to medical treatment in circumstances where the donor has lost the capacity to make such decisions themselves.

You can set up one or both types.

If you have an EPA you can also set up a separate LPA after 1 October 2007 to cover your personal health and welfare.

How does the new Lasting Power of Attorney differ from the existing Enduring Power of Attorney?

How can you set one up? Do you need to get help from a solicitor?

What if you already have an Enduring Power of Attorney? Will it still operate after 1 October?

Is it a good idea to take out an EPA before the rules change?

Vincent Duggleby was joined by:

Richard Brook, public guardian, Office of the Public Guardian

Chris Belcher, partner, Farrer & Co and director of Solicitors for the Elderly

Jenny McCabe, solicitor, Turpin & Miller Solicitors

Presenter: Vincent Duggleby
Producer: Jennifer Clarke

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