If you are thinking of obtaining a legal writ so that you can act in the interests of a family member who is out of the country or sick, there are several ways that you can go about it. In fact, the paperwork can be completed electronically as long as you vigorously attend to every detail. When asking yourself, “Is an online lasting power of attorney legal?” the answer is a resounding yes. LPAs can be completed online here.
The power can be used in a number of different ways. If a family member is going to be out of the country for several weeks or months, then he/she may want to hand over the decision-making ability on their personal finances to a relative. This is especially true for people who may be working with a charity group, such as Habitat for Humanity, in a rural, undeveloped region where electronic communication is weak and sporadic.
Consider a case where an individual has suffered an acute physical injury and may be in hospital for some time. Patients undergoing long medical recoveries that may also include significant rehabilitation may require someone else to be empowered through an official act of legality. Family members can make decisions on bank accounts, real estate investments, and even the buying and selling of property.
An LPA is perfectly legal for a wide variety of situations, which include many of the fundamentals of daily life. When an individual loses mental capacity, family members can decide where this person lives and what he/she eats. The LPA can also play a big role in social activities, which includes deciding who the person should have contact with during leisure time.
Interested parties should be aware that a marriage or civil partnership will not automatically mean that a spouse or partner will have the legal authority to make decisions on the other’s behalf. Bank accounts and pensions, for instance, can not be modified by spouses without the proper legal clearance. An LPA will give spouses the ability to manage bank accounts, pensions, and healthcare accounts going forward.
The paperwork itself can be completed in a short period of time. Make sure you double-check the text so that each name, address, and bit of information is entered correctly. Afterwards, the attorneys and witnesses will need to sign the forms. The LPA can then be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Low income individuals may receive a 50% discount on the registration fee, so check to see if you qualify for this. You must, of course, register the LPA while you still have the proper mental capacity. This mental capacity must also remain above a certain standard throughout the entirety of the registration process, which can take nine weeks from start to finish.
LPAs can ultimately do a range of good for a range of people. As long as you complete the filing process and then register with the Office of the Public Guardian, you should be please with the results. The legal authority will make life for your entire family much more convenient going forward.
