Power of Attorney
What is a Power of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney is a written legal document giving someone else authority to take actions or make financial and/or health and welfare decisions on your behalf when you no longer have the mental capacity to make an informed choice. The Power of Attorney document contains the name of the person(s) you want to act for you if you no longer can, i.e. the attorney and a list of the individual powers that you want your attorney to have.
Why should I have a Power of Attorney?
Having a Power of Attorney can give you peace of mind, as you know you will have the support of someone you trust if you are unable to make important decisions about the things that matter for yourself. Your attorney will have the information they need to make those decisions with confidence. Your next-of-kin, family or other people close to you do not have the legal right to make decisions for you if you lose the ability to do so yourself.
If you don't set up a Power of Attorney, either by a solicitor or making your own Power of Attorney, and you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself, the person who makes decisions on your behalf may not be the person you would have chosen. They may not even know you. In a medical emergency hospital staff will try to involve you in decisions about your treatment options. This may not be possible if you are unable to communicate your wishes and you don't have an attorney.
By granting a Power of Attorney to a person you trust, for example, a family member or friend you are keeping control of making decisions about your welfare within your family or friendship group, instead of these decisions being made by the local authority on your behalf in situations where a decision needs to be made.
You can have a Power of Attorney for financial and/or welfare matters, and you can nominate more than one person as your Attorney.
How much does it cost?
There is a financial cost attached to a Power of Attorney drawn up by a solicitor, and this will vary depending on the solicitor you use. It is worth considering if you need to make or change your Will, as circumstances can change, you may ask your solicitor to draw up your Power of Attorney at the same time.
There is also a cost of to register your Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian. At the time of publication, this is around £83, but costs can change, so please check with the Office of the Public Guardian website for the most up to date information or call 01324678300.
Help with legal fees
Legal assistance may be available if you are on a low income. Depending on your benefits, earnings and savings, you may be entitled to legal assistance, to help with the legal fees for drawing up a Power of Attorney. Legal assistance is means tested, based on the income and capital of the granter, not the attorney.
For more information visit the My Power of Attorney website (opens new window)
Please follow this link to the Office of the Public Guardian to find out more about how to complete a Power of Attorney without legal representation. A draft form is also available. Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) (opens new window)
If you are a carer or disabled person and live in West Lothian, you can get help from Carers of West Lothian on obtaining a power of attorney for you or the person you care for.
Contact Carers of West Lothian (opens new window) for more information.