World Alzheimer’s Month and LPAs: Making your wishes clear

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign run by Alzheimer’s Disease International, (ADI) to raise awareness and challenge stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia. As trained Dementia Friends, our team here at Cullimore Dutton are proud to support this campaign and are pleased to share these things to consider when creating an LPA.

We understand that if you are considering creating an LPA and giving Power of Attorney to a loved one, that you may feel a little overwhelmed. There are many considerations, including choosing someone you trust to carry out your wishes and conduct your affairs as you would want. Choosing the right attorney, and making your wishes clear to them, is an essential part of the Power of Attorney process and can help you move forward in your life with confidence. In this article, we look at how to approach the discussion and how to ensure your wishes are clearly communicated when giving Power of Attorney.

Addressing your concerns about giving Power of Attorney
Creating a Power of Attorney is essential for planning for the future. Unfortunately, life is unpredictable, and in the future, you may need someone to make decisions for you and carry out actions on your behalf should you lose the capacity to do so for yourself. A Power of Attorney is designed to provide peace of mind, but we understand that you may still be apprehensive. What if your attorney doesn’t know what to do? What if they do not follow your instructions? Concerns about Power of Attorney are very normal, and there are steps you can take to make the process straightforward for your attorney, providing them with clarity about their role.

Choosing the right person to be your attorney
Most people have an idea about who they wish to be their attorney, but it is still important to consider your choice carefully. You should trust the person you choose to follow your wishes and have the common sense to manage your financial affairs and care confidently. You can also appoint more than one attorney. For example, you may have someone in mind who would be better at arranging everyday care and another who is better with financial decisions.

Discussing your wishes
We would recommend raising the issue with your family and loved ones before you make your Power of Attorney. They can then work with you to choose the best person for the role. They may raise concerns or issues that you had not considered. Discussing the Power of Attorney with your loved ones is also an opportunity to clarify your wishes. You should discuss both financial matters and care matters. Care matters may be where you would like to live, what you like to eat or the clothes you like to wear.

Setting out clearly how you would like your affairs to be managed
To give you additional peace of mind, you can also set out your wishes in a document known as an advanced statement. An advanced statement allows you to set out clear, written instructions. You may wish to include any wishes, preferences, values and beliefs about your future day-to-day care and medical care.

Why use us to help you create your power of attorney?
We are specialists in this area of law and all our team are either qualified members or working towards membership of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

We are experienced with more than 70 years’ of helping, supporting, and advising clients on their Wills, LPAs, Trusts, Tax and Estates.

We understand the importance of delivering a considerate and approachable service when dealing with sensitive matters at what can often be a difficult time.

What our clients have said…
“Thank you so much for all your assistance with this matter. We really appreciate all the advice, time and help which you have given us – and your patience! You have helped to make a difficult task much less onerous.”
Cullimore Dutton Wills & Probate client

“We’d like to express our thanks for the way that you have professionally and sympathetically handled this on our behalf, and we wish you well for the future.”
Cullimore Dutton Wills & Probate client

If you would like a free initial consultation to discuss creating a Power of Attorney with one of our specialist Wills & Probate team, simply click on the “Speak to our Experts” button, call 01244 729 071 or email info@cullimoredutton.co.uk

Free to attend seminar: Protecting you and your family’s financial future
Join us for this free to attend seminar and hear how current market conditions can affect your financial future and how an LPA can provide financial protections. For more information visit: www.cullimoredutton.co.uk/protecting-seminar. To register simply email events@cullimoredutton.co.uk.

Please note: This is not legal advice; it is intended to provide information of general interest about current legal issues.