At The Christie, we understand how worrying it can be for patients who have been diagnosed with or living with cancer. Planning for your future is important in case you ever become unable to make decisions for yourself.

You may think your partner or close family members can make decisions for you if you’re not able to, but this is not the case. If they had to pay your bills or make a choice about your care, they would need legal authority.

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets you plan what you want another person to do for you in the future, should you become incapable of making decisions about your own affairs. This would mean they could act as your ‘attorney’.

An LPA is a legal document that lets people you trust step in when you need it most. It not only gives you a voice, but it protects your decisions.

There are 2 types of LPA

  • Health and welfare - This gives your attorney the power to make decisions about things like:
    • Daily routines
    • Medical care
    • Moving into a care home
    • Life-sustaining treatment
  • Property and financial affairs - This LPA gives your attorney the power to make decisions about money and property for:
    • Managing a bank or building society account
    • Paying bills
    • Collecting benefits or pension
    • Selling your home

How to make and register an LPA

  1. First, talk to someone you would trust to carry out your wishes. This doesn’t have to be a partner or family member, and you can name more than one person if you want. They need to be 18 or over and fully understand the role they’ll be carrying out. Take time to talk it through so that they understand your choices and decisions.
  2. Decide which lasting power of attorney (LPA) is right for you, health and welfare LPA, property and financial affairs LPA or both.
  3. You can make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) online or using paper forms. Once completed, you need to register each LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). It takes 8 to 10 weeks to register an LPA.
  4. For more information or to start your application, visit GOV.uk’s lasting power of attorney page.