A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. In recent years, the government has made it easier to set up an LPA by introducing an online service.
View a lasting power of attorney
If your LPA was registered in England or Wales on or after 1 January 2016, you can use the official ‘View a lasting power of attorney’ service on gov.uk. This lets organisations such as banks, healthcare providers, and councils check the details quickly and securely. Instead of sending a document in the post, the attorney can provide a digital access code. The organisation can then use the donor’s surname and the code to view a summary online.
Access codes last for 30 days
The online summary shows who the donor is, who their attorneys are, and how decisions should be made. It will also highlight any restrictions or special instructions included in the LPA. Access codes last for 30 days, so if the organisation still needs proof after that, the attorney can generate a new one. If you want more information on an LPA online, you can visit powerofattorneyonline.co.uk. It pays to plan ahead and create an LPA.
This system makes the process faster and safer
However, it only applies to LPAs created in England and Wales, and not to older Enduring Powers of Attorney or those made in Scotland or Northern Ireland. By moving online, the government has made managing and proving an LPA simpler.