Definition
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets a person (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help them make decisions or to make decisions on their behalf.
This gives people more control over what happens to them if they have an accident or an illness and cannot make a decision because they lack mental capacity.
There are two types of LPA – ‘health and welfare’ and ‘property and financial affairs.’ People can choose to make one type or both.
People must be 18 or over and be able to make their own decisions when they make an LPA.