When it comes to planning for the future, many people focus only on money — but true peace of mind comes from protecting both your finances and your wellbeing.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA helps you stay in control of your money and property, while a Health and Welfare LPA ensures your wishes about care and medical treatment are respected.
Both are equally important — yet many people make one and forget the other.
At Viva Planning, we believe lasting powers of attorney are not just about control; they’re about compassion. They give the people you trust the power to make decisions in your best interests if you ever lose capacity.
Why You Need Both Types of LPAs
The media often highlights the financial consequences of not having a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, such as frozen bank accounts or unpaid bills. But what about your personal wellbeing — where you live, the care you receive, or medical treatment decisions?
That’s where a Health and Welfare LPA comes in. Without one, even your closest family members may have little say in critical decisions about your life.
What Happens Without a Health and Welfare LPA
If you lose mental capacity without a Health and Welfare LPA in place:
Social Services could decide where you live and what type of care you receive.
Your next of kin may be consulted, but they won’t have the final say on medical treatment or resuscitation.
Decisions could be passed to the Court of Protection, creating stress, delays, and unnecessary legal costs.
In short, without an LPA, control is taken away from those who know you best — and given to strangers or public officials.
How a Health and Welfare LPA Works
A Health and Welfare LPA can only be used if you lose mental capacity. It allows your chosen attorneys to decide on:
Daily routines (washing, dressing, meals)
Medical care and treatment
Whether you move into a care home
Life-sustaining treatment decisions
With one in place, you know that the people who understand your values and beliefs will speak for you when you cannot. This is especially crucial given the rise in dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses across the UK.
The Role of a Property and Financial Affairs LPA
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows your attorney to manage your bank accounts, pay bills, deal with pensions, and make property decisions.
It can be used while you still have capacity (with your permission) or if you lose capacity later on. Having this document in place ensures financial continuity — your mortgage is paid, your home is maintained, and your bills don’t pile up while you’re unwell.
Together, the two LPAs work hand in hand — one safeguarding your finances, the other protecting your personal wellbeing.
Why Having Both LPAs Matters
Only by having both LPAs can you be sure that all aspects of your life are protected. They give your family the ability to act quickly and compassionately without needing court intervention.
It’s about giving yourself and your loved ones control, dignity, and peace of mind.
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