Power of Attorney is when one person (the donor) authorises another person (the attorney) to act on their behalf, and gives them certain legal powers to allow them to do so.
You might set up a Power of Attorney to allow a friend to sell your house for you while you are working abroad, or set up an Enduring Power of Attorney to allow trusted relatives to manage your affairs if you become ill in later years. Power of Attorney is only applicable to people over the age of 18.
A person must have mental capacity to make a Power of Attorney. Since the Mental Capacity Act came into force in 2007, people can make a Lasting Power of Attorney allowing someone to make decisions on their behalf on health or welfare matters should they lose their mental capacity.
Lasting Powers of Attorney must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. Information on making a Lasting Power of Attorney and application packs are available from the Office of the Public Guardian. Alternatively, you can contact the Office of the Public Guardian at the details below:
Office of the Public Guardian
PO Box 15118
Birmingham
B16 6GX
Telephone: 0300 456 0300
Fax: 0870 739 5780
Email: customerservices@publicguardian.gsi.gov.uk
Southampton City Council
