Background
Sue is a vibrant 76-year-old widow living independently in the Lake District. Though she has always taken pride in managing her affairs and staying active in her community, she began to notice small lapses in memory and occasional confusion when managing bills or attending medical appointments. These weren’t serious enough to raise alarms, but they prompted her to think ahead.
Sue’s only daughter, Shelly, lives two hours away in Cheshire with a young family and a full-time job. Although she visits regularly, they both recognised that Sue’s situation could change quickly — and without notice.
Rather than waiting for a health crisis or cognitive decline to force urgent decisions, Sue wanted to ensure that someone she trusted could step in to support her — not just physically, but legally and financially too.
Why Act Now? The Importance of Early Planning
Sue and Shelly had heard stories of friends and acquaintances trying to organise care or access funds for loved ones after a sudden illness — only to discover they had no legal authority to do so. The alternative, going through the Court of Protection, is expensive, slow, and stressful, especially in an emergency.
Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place early would give Sue peace of mind, knowing that Shelly could act on her behalf if needed, and it would spare her daughter from future complications or legal battles.
They decided to set up two types of LPA:
- Health and Welfare – allowing Shelly to make decisions about care, medical treatment, and living arrangements.
- Property and Financial Affairs – enabling Shelly to manage bills, access accounts, or sell property if required.
The Process: Using the Government Website
Sue and Shelly were initially unsure about how to get started but were relieved to find that the process was clear and manageable through the official Government website: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney.
Together, they followed these steps:
- Set Up Online Account
Sue created a secure online account on the Government’s LPA portal. This helped keep everything organised and accessible. - Fill in the Forms Together
With Shelly’s help, Sue completed the online application for both LPAs. They carefully selected replacement attorneys in case Shelly became unavailable and decided how decisions should be made (jointly or severally). - Choose a Certificate Provider
A family friend who had known Sue for over 30 years agreed to act as the certificate provider – confirming that Sue understood what she was signing and wasn’t under pressure. - Print, Sign and Witness the Forms
Once submitted, they printed the forms and followed the clear instructions for signatures and witnesses in the correct order. - Send to the Office of the Public Guardian
The completed documents were posted to the Office of the Public Guardian, along with the registration fee. - Wait for Confirmation
Within weeks, they received confirmation that both LPAs had been officially registered.
Outcome: Peace of Mind and Empowerment
Sue now has peace of mind knowing her future is secure and that Shelly can support her fully if the need arises — whether that’s speaking to doctors, arranging care, or handling financial matters.
Shelly also feels reassured. “We did this together before anything happened. It’s one of the most loving and practical things we could’ve done.”
What could have been a complicated and emotional process during a time of crisis was instead handled calmly, with clarity and intention — thanks to early planning and the ease of using the Government website.
