Power of attorney: A powerful position not to be taken lightly

In September the Powers of Attorney Act received Royal Assent. This means that within months the process to register a lasting power of attorney (LPA) will, so the government hopes, be both quicker and simpler to complete. While the process to become an attorney may be eased, anyone agreeing to take on the onerous role should not be lulled into taking on the appointment by a streamlined appointment process. Having been appointed, the first question an attorney should ask themselves is when they are able to make decisions on behalf of the person who has made the LPA - known as the "don...