Choosing an attorney

The role of attorney involves a great deal of power and responsibility so you must trust the person you choose. You can choose more than one attorney if you want. Think carefully about who you believe would be able to carry out the role and make decisions in your best interests. Give the person you ask time to think about the responsibilities they would be taking on. Your attorney could be a family member, a friend, your spouse, partner or civil partner. Alternatively, they could be a professional, such as a solicitor. Your attorney can claim back any reasonable expenses they incur as a result of their role as your attorney (for example postage, travel or photocopying costs). They cannot claim for time spent carrying out their duties (this would only be the case if you appoint a professional attorney, such as a solicitor). An attorney must be over 18 and shouldn’t be a paid care worker, except in exceptional circumstances.

 

Requirements for a Power of Attorney

The Power of Attorney Law provides that any “natural person having the capacity to contract may execute a power of attorney”. The power of attorney must contain the date of execution and must be signed by the principal (the person who creates the power of attorney) or by another adult acting on their instructions.

The power of attorney must be signed and acknowledged before a notary public or signed by two witnesses. 

 

Power of Attorney deals with

• transactions related to property;
• stocks and bonds;
• commodities and options;
• banking and other financial institution needs;
• business operations;
• beneficiary transactions related to estates and trusts;
• insurance and annuities;
• claims and legal litigation;
• personal and family maintenance;
• social security or other government program benefits; and
• retirement plans and tax matters.

 

How we can help

Lestons can arrange the relevant documentation. To gain our assistance you need to open a case, this is done by taking advantage of our free consultation service, activated by the link at the top of the page, should you wish to start a case the caseworker will send you the suitable payment link. Please note your caseworker can only give generic advice, their role is to prepare your details for handling by our appointed specialist and to act as your point of contact, they will also issue you with your Password and PIN, these will be needed to log onto your client dashboard. From your dashboard you will be able to manage and view every aspect of your case, upload documents, images, files etc.