Make a power of attorney

Relax knowing you’ve got someone you trust.

 
senior couple laughing

We can help you understand:

  • what a power of attorney is
  • why it’s important to have one
  • the different types of power of attorney
  • how you put it in place.

Halifax power of attorney service is provided by Hugh James Solicitors in England and Wales. 
If you choose our services, we'll take you to the Hugh James website.

What’s a power of attorney?

Power of attorney (POA), specifically known as a lasting power of attorney (LPA) in England and Wales, is a legal document that lets you choose one or more people you trust to make decisions on your behalf. This includes if you can't make such decisions yourself, or don't want to – which could be due to illness or an accident.

Why do I need to set up a lasting power of attorney?

You should think about setting up a lasting power of attorney now as you won’t be able to set one up if you lose mental capacity and the unexpected happens.

You’re in control

You get to pick someone you trust to make decisions and manage your affairs when you no longer can.

It’ll save time and money

If you need a power of attorney but don’t have one in place, it can be a long and expensive legal journey for a relative or someone close to you to gain guardianship.

 

You can avoid family disputes

You’ve legally appointed someone to make decisions for you, making it clear who is responsible for making decisions on your behalf.

Why choose Halifax?

Our services are provided by Hugh James Solicitors, an industry-leading legal firm. They’ll walk you through your options, giving you personalised support to fit your needs.

Experienced legal professionals will draft and provide support on the signing of your documents. So, you can easily help protect your future, assets and loved ones.

Get started by telling us where you live in the UK

As the law differs across the UK, we’ll need to take you to the right service. 

Halifax power of attorney service is provided by Hugh James Solicitors in England and Wales. If you choose our services, we'll take you to the Hugh James website and a privacy notice and cookie policy will be in place.

 

Halifax power of attorney service is provided by Hugh James Solicitors in England and Wales. If you choose our services, we'll take you to the Hugh James website and a privacy notice and cookie policy will be in place.

 

Halifax power of attorney service isn’t suitable for customers living in Scotland, but our partners at Scottish Widows can help.

Scottish Widows power of attorney service is provided by Brodies LLP.

 

Types of power of attorney

There are different types of power of attorney. Decide what is best for you and your family.

Financial decisions power of attorney

You can choose someone to manage your property and financial affairs. This could involve:

  • managing your bank accounts
  • paying your bills
  • handling investments
  • collecting benefits
  • making decisions about buying or selling property.

Health and care decisions

You can choose someone to make health and personal welfare decisions on your behalf.

This could include living arrangements and medical treatment.

Let’s take a closer look

  • You must have the mental capacity to understand the implications of your decisions. You also need to be aged 18 or over in England and Wales and aged 16 or over in Scotland.

  • You can legally appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf – this will be your attorney. You can choose more than one person and have different attorneys for financial decisions, and health and care decisions.

  • Anyone over 18 can be your attorney. Just make sure it’s someone you trust, like one or more friends, family members or professional advisers. For a financial decisions power of attorney, you can’t choose anyone that has been bankrupt.

  • No. But you can walk them through the process. The person creating the power of attorney must have the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves and provide instructions for the power of attorney.

  • No. But we recommend registering it sooner rather than later, so it’s ready when you need it. Registering it with the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) can take months. Plus, it can only be used once it’s been registered.

    We can register it on your behalf as part of our service. But you can opt out if you want.

  • With us, you get personalised guidance and support from legal professionals. Plus, you’ll know that everything’s been done correctly. So, you can avoid mistakes that could delay or invalidate your document.

    We’ll be on hand to help you understand your options and guide you through the legal details – making sure your document works in the way you want.

  • As long as you still have mental capacity, you can revoke your power of attorney - then create a new one. It’s important to trust who you’ve chosen to manage your affairs.

  • A health and care decisions power of attorney would only be used when you don’t have the mental capacity to make your own decisions.

    It would allow someone you trust to make decisions about things such as:

    • your daily routine, for example washing, dressing and eating
    • medical care
    • where you should live.

Get started on making a power of attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document. Use our professional legal services to make your power of attorney.

Make a power of attorney

Additional services

A helping hand with your accounts

If you need someone you trust to help manage your accounts, we can help.

We can also help if you want to support someone else.

We have an easy-to-use customer access tool that will help you find the access that fits your needs.

Customer access tool

Will writing service

Everyone should have an up-to-date will to protect your loved ones after you die.

It’s a legal document that helps you plan for the future and detail your wishes. Make sure you review it regularly and update it when you need to. This is important after life events, like marriage, divorce or starting a family.

Find out how our will writing service can help.

Writing your will

More support

Someone to manage your affairs

We can help if you want to support someone to manage their accounts or need help looking after your own.

Help with money management

Customers affected by serious illness

Helping you through this difficult time.

Serious illness support

Bereavement support

Supporting you with losing a loved one.

How we can help

Still need help?

Find out more about our products and services as well as how to get in touch with us in our help centre.

Help centre

Still need help?

Find out more about our products and services as well as how to get in touch with us in our help centre.

Help centre