General Powers of Attorney

Preparing a general power of attorney will allow you to appoint somebody you trust to look after your property and financial affairs if you are unable to do so. A general power of attorney is not suitable if you are becoming mentally ill as the document will become ineffective the moment you are no longer able to understand that the general power of attorney is being operated.

A general power of attorney is usually created for a set period of time and can only be effective for a period of twelve months following creation. The power will automatically come to an end if the set time period of the power elapses, on the twelve month anniversary of the documents creation, if you lose mental capacity or by you effecting a deed of revocation.

Clients who usually create a general power of attorney typically do so because they are going away on holiday or on work commitments and they want to appoint someone to look after their assets for them while they are away. You can appoint anyone who is over the age of 18 and has the mental capacity required as your attorney. They could be family, friends, your professional advisor or a mixture but you must trust the person or people you appoint to deal with your finances and property.

The general power of attorney gives your chosen attorney or attorneys the power to make decisions and take actions on your behalf. The attorney(s) effectively steps into your shoes and his/her actions will be treated as if they were made by you. Granting an unrestricted, unspecific general power of attorney you will allow your attorney to administer all of your property and financial affairs. This could include buying or selling property, shares, personal possessions and business assets etc. An attorney appointed under a general power of attorney cannot effect decisions on your health and welfare.

A general power of attorney does not need to be registered, it is immediately effective on signing and dating the document.

Lakes Legal Limited deliver tailor-made general powers of attorney to all clients who require this service as the need for such provision varies greatly. If you instruct Lakes Legal Limited to prepare your general power of attorney you will be asked to complete and return a simple questionnaire. Lakes Legal Limited will use the information provided by you to create the draft document which will be sent to you for approval before the final general power of attorney is created for your signature.

“Piece of mind for you and protection for your family should you need it.” Lakes Legal Limited

For more information on the preparation of general powers of attorney please see the blog and articles sections of our website and our General Powers of Attorney Fact Sheet.

Lakes Legal Limited offer a comprehensive general power of attorney writing service for a fixed fee of £50.00. If you would like Lakes Legal Limited to prepare your general power of attorney for you, bespoke to your needs, simply click on the button below and use our secure payment service to process your transaction. Alternatively please telephone Lakes Legal Limited and speak with one of our advisors.