A legal document enables you to appoint someone on your behalf, whom you empower to make decisions in your absence. Before appointing anyone as your lasting power of attorney, you must be at least 18. In general a lasting power of attorney has two types:

• One who takes decisions about your health and welfare
• One who decides on your finance and property-related matters.

What is a lasting power of attorney for your health and welfare authorized to do?

• Medical care
• About changing your home care
• About life-sustaining treatment
• Daily routine (eat, drink, wear, etc.)

What is a lasting power of attorney authorized to do about your financial and property-related issues?

• Bill payments
• Benefits collections
• Home selling

Who can be your lasting power of attorney

• 18+ person
• Who is capable of making decisions
• A relative, friend, professional or a close family member
• he must not be subject to a debt relief order or bankruptcy (in case one wants him to be his lasting power of attorney for finances).

What decisions do you need to make before appointing someone as your lasting power of attorney?

• What if you think of appointing two people as your lasting power of attorneys? Whose decision will count?
• How about their remuneration?
• Any requirement for a replacement attorney?

The difference between LPA for Property & Financial Matters and LPA for Health and Welfare? The main difference is that an LPA for Health and Welfare can only be used after you have lost the capacity to make related decisions.