Enduring Power of Attorney
After a Will, an Enduring Power of Attorney is the most important document you will ever create. For an independent explanation of just how important this document is, please read this BBC article, or watch a short video.
Sure Will is currently giving away a FREE Enduring Power of Attorney with every will made on our new website, saving you up to £98. To take full advantage of this offer, click here to start your will now.
Everyone that makes a will should also make an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA). An EPA is a document that you sign to appoint someone to act for you should you become unable to manage your own financial affairs. If you have taken the time to consider protecting your assets after you die, so maybe you should consider taking care of yourself whist you are alive.
A Will ensures that your estate is distributed according to your wishes when you die. An EPA protects you and your assets by authorizing somebody chosen by you to deal with your affairs on your behalf should you be unable to manage them yourself. You should consider an EPA because you may become unable to manage your own affairs eg if you suffer a serious accident which permanently incapacitates you, or you become mentally incapacitated due to old age or some other reason.
If you do not complete an EPA, the only way your financial affairs can be managed is by a relative or person close to you making an application to the Court of Protection. This process can take up to 10 months and cost up to £1000 to process. During this time your finances could be seriously damaged. The person authorised to handle your affairs on your behalf is not only unlikely to be who you would have chosen, but could be a court official who can (and will) charge every time he/she has to act for you.
If you have an EPA, the person you have chosen to represent you can act straight away and handle your affairs even if you become mentally incapacitated within a few weeks.
Remember, the offer of a Free Enduring Power of Attorney is only valid until 31st September 2007 - don't delay, start your will now.
NOTE You must be mentally capable to make an EPA. Therefore, just like a Will, if you don't have one, then by the time you really need one it's too late.
There is more information on EPAs available from the Society of Will Writers