Power of Attorneys: information about set up and operation
Set up power of attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document to allow someone (such as a trusted friend or relative) to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf if you’re no longer able to. It is important to set it up in advance of being needed, whilst you retain full mental capacity to make your own decisions.
Power of Attorneys are setup with the relevant Office of the Public Guardian (or the Office of Care and Protection in Northern Ireland). You can find more information in our help guide found on this page in the section "If you need someone to act on your behalf" or at: www.moneyhelper.org.uk
If the policyholder has already lost mental capacity, our help guide also explains about how to set-up a deputy.
We will require a certified copy of the Power of Attorney document before we can accept instructions from someone else on your behalf.
If you need someone to act on your behalf
If you need someone to act on your behalf, we will need to receive a lasting power of attorney. You can find out more about this, including costs, in our guide.
If you need someone to access information on your behalf
A letter of authority allows someone you trust to access your financial information. Once we receive a completed letter of authority from you, we can share information with them. A letter of authority does not allow that person to act on your behalf or make any decisions.