Rochdale's Will Lady extends her invaluable advice to the nation in ITV's 'Tonight' appearance

For the past four years, Fiona Daly, has been on a mission to simplify the process of making a Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA), ensuring that more people in Rochdale have these important legal documents in place to protect their family's future.

In a recent appearance on ITV's 'Tonight' programme, Fiona extended this advice to the nation, challenging misconceptions about LPA's and giving people across the country the knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Incase you missed Fiona's television debut, she has shared her top tips for making an LPA...

Understand the purpose of an LPA - An LPA is a legal document that allows you to choose who will be your voice and have the practical powers to make decisions for you if you can't due to injury or illness (say, dementia). Each person named on the document is called an Attorney. An LPA for Property & Finances allows an Attorney to look after your bank accounts, bills, pension, property etc, whilst an LPA for Health & Welfare allows an Attorney to deal with medical and social care professionals about your medical treatment/care and choose a suitable care home if needed.

Plan early - While you have mental capacity, it’s vital that you get your affairs in order and choose the best people to manage your affairs. You can’t appoint an Attorney once you lose capacity in an accident or through illness.

Keep your LPA updated - If your circumstances change, your choice of Attorney may change, such as following a marriage or divorce, when children reach adulthood or if parents pass away.

Don’t DIY it and get it wrong - Use a reputable solicitor or will writer to prepare your LPA. A solicitor or will writer will explain the documents, discuss in detail how the documents will work in practice, talk about which Attorneys to appoint and their suitability to be appointed.

Choose your Attorneys

carefully - Appoint more than one Attorney - two Attorneys at least, so they can share the responsibility. Do the people you've chosen share your views and do you trust them to carry out your wishes? Have a conversation with them about how you expect them to make decisions in different circumstances. For example, are you happy for your property to be rented to help pay for your care costs?

Restrict the level of power given to your AttorneysProvide legally binding instructions setting out what an Attorney must do or not do. You should also think carefully about how you want your Attorneys to make decisions (either together or together and on their own).

Finally, as Fiona explained to ITV Tonight viewers:

"The main misconception people have about Lasting Powers of Attorney is, "I'm next of kin, I'm husband or wife to the person who has lost mental capacity, so of course I can make decisions for them, of course I can manage their utility bills. Unfortunately, that's totally untrue. And the only way that they can manage the affairs and finances of the spouse or next of kin is having in place an LPA."

With over 150 five star Google reviews, Fiona guarantees a friendly, reliable, professional service, in the comfort of your own home, at a time to suit you. If you’d like a chat with Fiona about Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney please call 07799 213 721.