Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Harrow
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you choose, in advance, who would make decisions on your behalf if you were no longer able to make them yourself. It is one of the most useful documents you can put in place, and it can only be made while you still have the capacity to do so.
Kenton Solicitors prepares both types of Lasting Power of Attorney — one covering property and financial affairs, the other covering health and welfare — and deals with registration on your behalf.
Appointments are available at our Kenton Road office in person, by telephone, or by video call, Monday to Saturday. Home and hospital visits can be arranged where needed.
Free Consultation — 020 8907 2444Which Lasting Power of Attorney Do You Need?
There are two separate documents. Most people put both in place at the same time, but you can make just one if you prefer.
Property & Financial Affairs
Covers decisions about money and property. This is the one most people put in place first, and it can be used with your permission even while you still have capacity — useful if you are abroad, in hospital, or would simply prefer help managing things.
- Operating bank and building society accounts
- Paying bills and managing household expenses
- Collecting pension and benefit payments
- Selling or letting a property
- Managing investments and savings
Health & Welfare
Covers decisions about your care and medical treatment. Unlike the financial document, this one can only be used once you are no longer able to make the decisions yourself — it does not take effect before then.
- Where you live and who cares for you
- Day-to-day care, diet, and daily routine
- Medical treatment decisions
- Moving into a care home if needed
- Life-sustaining treatment, if you choose to include it
Putting an LPA in Place — Step by Step
The documents are usually prepared within a couple of weeks. Registration then takes a number of weeks after that.
Free Consultation
We discuss which documents you need, who you would like to appoint, and how you want decisions to be made.
Preparing the Documents
We draft the forms, including any instructions or preferences you want recorded about how your attorneys should act.
Signing
You, your attorneys, and an independent certificate provider sign in the correct order. We supervise this so it is done properly.
Registration
We register the documents with the Office of the Public Guardian. Once registered, they are ready to be used when needed.
Why Put an LPA in Place Now?
Many people assume a husband, wife, or adult child could step in automatically if something happened. In practice they cannot. Banks will not discuss an account with someone whose name is not on it, and medical staff are not required to follow a family member's wishes.
Without an LPA, the family has to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed instead. That process takes many months — and in the meantime, bills still need paying and decisions still need making.
An LPA can only be made while you have the capacity to make it. Once that point passes, the option is gone. That is why it is worth dealing with sooner rather than later.
Speak to a SolicitorChoosing Your Attorneys
Most people appoint family members. We advise on how many to appoint, whether they should act together or separately, and who to name as a replacement if one is unable to continue.
Instructions & Preferences
You can record how you want your attorneys to act — from where you would prefer to live to how investments should be handled. We help you set these out clearly.
Getting the Forms Right
Applications are regularly returned unregistered because of errors in how the forms were completed or signed. We prepare and supervise the whole process so it goes through first time.
It Is Not Only for Later Life
Illness and accidents happen at any age. Many of our clients put an LPA in place alongside their will, in their thirties and forties, simply as a sensible precaution.
Who Should Consider an LPA
Making a Will
Most people put an LPA in place at the same time as their will. Both documents deal with planning ahead, and it makes sense to sort them together.
Couples Planning Together
Married couples and partners usually appoint each other, with an adult child or sibling named as a replacement.
Following a Diagnosis
Where a condition has been diagnosed that may affect capacity in future, putting an LPA in place early is important while the option is still available.
Adult Children Helping Parents
Many enquiries come from adult children who want to help a parent get things organised. We are happy to meet with you both together.
Business Owners
Where you run a business, additional thought is needed about who would deal with it and how, alongside your personal affairs.
Living Alone
Where there is no partner or close family nearby, naming someone you trust in advance gives real peace of mind.
LPA Solicitors Serving Harrow
We prepare Lasting Powers of Attorney for individuals and families across Harrow and the surrounding areas of north-west London. Many of our clients arrange them at the same time as making or updating a will.
These conversations are easier face to face. You can come into the office and go through the decisions properly with the solicitor preparing your documents — and where attending is difficult, we can come to you at home or in hospital.
Get in Touch
To discuss putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, contact our team for a free initial consultation. Available Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm.
020 8907 2444or email info@kentonsolicitors.co.uk
Opening Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Walk-ins welcome. Home and hospital visits can be arranged.
Lasting Power of Attorney FAQs
Put a Lasting Power of Attorney in Place
Free initial consultation. SRA regulated. Based in Harrow.
