An ordinary power of attorney (sometimes called a general power of attorney) is a legal document that can be put in place to allow someone you trust to help sort out your financial affairs, on a temporary basis, whilst you may find it difficult – for example, if you are self-isolating or are unwell.  Your attorney could help with issues such as:

• Paying your bills
• Getting money out of your bank account for you
• Collecting benefits

An OPA can only be put in place by someone who has mental capacity – and having one does not mean that you will be unable to deal with your financial affairs yourself.  You can still do that if you want to.

Unlike a property and affairs lasting power of attorney (LPA), which must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used, an OPA does not have to be registered and can be used straight away.

You can revoke an OPA whenever you like, so when life is back to normal after the current coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis, you can go back to managing your own affairs.  An OPA will also become invalid if you lose mental capacity.

If you would like to know more about lasting powers of attorney, which can be put in place to deal with your property and affairs or your health and welfare, even if you lose mental capacity, please read the information available on our web page.

If you or a member of your family are over 70 years old and wish to set up a free ordinary power of attorney, or you want any further information, please contact our private client advisor, Katie Birch on 0114 241 9011 or 07495 820036, or you can email her at katie.brich@graysons.co.uk.  We can put an OPA in place for you quickly and simply over the telephone and we can cancel it just as quickly when you are ready to do so.

Author: Katie Birch, private client advisor