Planning a long trip, working abroad or being deployed with the Armed Forces? However well you prepare, life at home does not necessarily stop just because you are miles away.
A bill may need paying, paperwork might need signing, a problem could arise with your property, or something may need dealing with at your bank. Trying to sort these things from another country – or when you simply cannot be there in person – can quickly become stressful.
A General Power of Attorney can provide a practical solution.
It allows you to give someone you trust the legal authority to deal with certain financial or property matters on your behalf while you are away. Rather than trying to manage everything remotely, your chosen attorney can step in when needed.
That might mean speaking to a bank or government department, paying a bill, signing particular documents or dealing with an issue concerning your home. If a repair cannot wait, a tenancy needs attention or a property transaction needs to be completed before you return, having someone authorised to act for you can make life considerably easier.
Importantly, a General Power of Attorney does not have to give someone free rein over all of your affairs. It can be tailored to suit your circumstances. You might want somebody to deal with one particular transaction, look after matters relating to a property, or help with a wider range of financial affairs for a specified period.
You remain the owner of your money and property, and your attorney must act within the authority you have given them. For many people, that flexibility is precisely what makes a General Power of Attorney useful: it allows someone to help without handing over more control than necessary.
There are practical points to consider, including exactly what authority your attorney will need and whether banks or other organisations have particular requirements. A solicitor can help you think through the situations that might arise, draft the document so that it reflects what you actually need, and ensure everyone understands the extent of the attorney’s authority.
A General Power of Attorney will not be appropriate in every situation, particularly where somebody is no longer able to make their own decisions. But where you are perfectly capable of managing your affairs and simply need a trusted person to be able to act while you are unavailable, it can be a simple and reassuring piece of forward planning.
After all, being away from home should not mean having to manage everything at home from afar.
