Mental Capacity

Making a Lasting Power of Attorney

There are two types of LPAs:

A property and financial affairs LPA gives someone the power to make decisions about money and property, such as managing a bank account, paying bills, managing benefits. This can be used while someone has mental capacity, or drafted to come into force only if the donor loses mental capacity in the future.


A health and welfare LPA gives someone the power to make decisions about things like medical care and daily routine but can only be used when someone loses mental capacity.

You can create an LPA online and apply for it to be registered. Or you can download the forms and apply by post.

The OPG (Office of the Public Guardian) will check the LPA before they register it. You must show your LPA document or a certified copy every time you act on their behalf.

FASD and the Mental Capacity Code

CLICK HERE for information on FASD and the Mental Capacity Code

This document is a practical checklist to help ensure mental capacity assessments involving people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) follow the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice.

TEMPLATE LETTER: Parental/legal carer access to over 11s GP records:

This is a template (precedent) letter that parents or carers can use if a GP practice removes or plans to remove their access to a child’s online GP records purely because the child has reached a certain age (often 11–13).

This template is intended to help parents raise the issue clearly and respectfully with their GP practice so that decisions are made based on the child’s individual circumstances rather than a rigid age-based rule.

CLICK HERE for the template letter