Do I need both types of Lasting Power of Attorney?

There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in England and Wales, and they cover different situations.

A property and financial affairs LPA allows someone you trust (called an attorney) to manage things like your bank accounts, bills, investments, and property — either while you still have mental capacity or only if you lose it, depending on how you set it up.

A health and welfare LPA allows your attorney to make decisions about your medical care, living arrangements, and day-to-day welfare, but only if you lose the mental capacity to decide for yourself.

Neither type covers the other. If you only have the financial one, your attorney cannot make healthcare decisions. If you only have the health and welfare one, your attorney cannot manage your money or property.

For that reason, many people choose to register both — they address entirely separate areas of life. The two documents also take time to register with the Office of the Public Guardian, so setting them up earlier rather than later, and alongside a will if possible, means they are in place before they are needed.

An LPA only covers decisions made during your lifetime. It has no effect after death, at which point your will (or intestacy rules if there is no will) governs what happens to your estate.

Whether both LPAs are appropriate for your circumstances depends on your personal situation, family arrangements, and assets — a qualified legal or financial adviser can help you work through what makes sense for you.