Property and Affairs

What is LPA?

For individuals who don’t have the capacity to make their own decisions in regards to their property and affairs, another individual can be appointed to make the decisions for them. For example, if someone lacks sufficient mental capacity, they may no longer be able to look after their property and affairs and can have someone else do it for them.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can be nominated to make these decisions and manage affairs for a person, including arrangements such as the selling of property, paying of bills, managing of bank accounts, and repairing of a property. An LPA allows a person to choose someone to look after their affairs should they lose the capacity to do so themselves in the future.

However, not everyone has an LPA in place before they lack the capacity to manage their property and affairs. In these cases, the Court of Protection can appoint a deputy to manage an individual’s affairs. People can apply to become someone’s deputy, but the Court of Protection need to authorise it.