Blog Post

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney?

  • By Rory Patton
  • 22 Aug, 2017

As people continue to live for longer, the risk of dementia and in turn the loss of the ability to manage your own financial affairs is an increasing concern for many. Whilst many people are aware of the benefits of making a will, there is much less awareness of the advantages of having an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in this situation which could happen to anyone regardless of their age as the result of a sudden accident or illness.

An EPA allows you to appoint one or more people to act on your behalf in relation to your financial affairs in the event that you are unable to do so yourself in the future. You may include restrictions that the attorney only act in relation to certain property in certain circumstances or grant a general power enabling them to sell your home, deal with your assets and income and any expenses including nursing home fees.

Whilst is may sound daunting to grant even a close relative such control over your affairs, there are safeguards in place and to become effective, the EPA will need to be registered with the High Court. This is not required until your attorney believes that you are no longer capable of managing your own affairs and notice must be given to you and your next of kin prior to registration to allow for any objections.

Should you lose the ability to manage your affairs without having an EPA in place, your next of kin may need to make an application to the High Court to be appointed as a ‘Controller’ which is a more expensive and time consuming process. Once appointed, the Controller will also have to submit accounts and pay court fees on an annual basis, neither of which is required of an attorney acting under an EPA.

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of putting an EPA in place, call 028 87724333 to arrange a free consultation.

Disclaimer - The opinions and suggestions made within this article should not be interpreted as specific advice in relation to any particular individual or individuals. FG Patton Solicitors does not accept responsibility for any loss occasioned by someone acting or refraining to act on the basis of the opinions and suggestions contained in this article.

By Rory Patton 28 Nov, 2023
We are delighted to be supporting Digg Deep For Kids this Christmas as a registered drop off point for the local area.

They are most in need of gifts for children aged 7– 18 years however gifts suitable for children of all ages are greatly appreciated. Gifts must be new and unwrapped. A list of suitable items can be found on the Cash For Kids section of their website - www.diggdeepforkids.com.

Please note that we cannot accept food or cash donations. If you wish to donate money, please visit Https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/diggdeepforkids2023
By Rory Patton 21 Nov, 2023
Congratulations to our client Coleman Construction Ltd who won 'Affordable Development of the Year' for their Taughrane Hall development at the PropertyPal awards last Thursday night in the Titanic, Belfast.

It was great to see the hard work and dedication of the team being recognised and a great night was had by all those who attended. 


By Rory Patton 02 Nov, 2023

I will be attending ‘Meet the Experts’ – a great event for business owners and entrepreneurs, where you have the chance to meet industry experts to discuss and brainstorm how to improve and grow your own business.

 

If you are interested in attending, sign up for free via Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-experts-tickets-718396963657

 

Date and time: Tue, 14 Nov 2023   -   1pm – 5pm

Location: THE JUNCTION, 12 Beechvalley Way Dungannon BT70 1BS

 

#tourismni #mudc #midulster #northernireland #business #event #networking

By Rory Patton 25 Sep, 2023
We are excited to be part of Free Wills Month , launching on Monday 2nd October.

Free Wills Month is your chance to get a free Will whilst choosing to support charity by leaving a gift in your Will.

Bookings will be available from 9am 2nd October 2023. For more information, visit bit.ly/FWMSol
By Rory Patton 15 Aug, 2023
We are delighted to be part of the player sponsorship group for the Dungannon Women's Rugby team again this coming season.

Women's rugby continues to go from strength to strength and the Women's team has been a fantastic addition to the club since it was formed.

We wish them all the best for the season ahead. 
By Rory Patton 29 Nov, 2022
We are acting as a drop off point for donations to the Digg Deep for Kids campaign this Christmas.

Digg Deep for Kids has raised over half a million pounds over the years and bought almost a million pounds worth of essentials for families across Northern Ireland. This year they are raising money to support Save the Children, Cash for kids, and Saint Vincent de Paul.

You can support the campaign by buying a raffle ticket online, making a donation to the Just Giving page or by leaving items to a designated drop-off point such as ours. They are most in need of gifts for babies and teens.

For more information visit https://diggdeepforkids.com/

The final day for donations to be left in to the office is Wednesday the 14th December. We would really appreciate any support for this very worthy campaign which makes a big difference to those in need at Christmas.
By Rory Patton 19 Nov, 2022
We are delighted to support Cancer Focus free wills month this November.

Cancer Focus is a fantastic local charity carrying out important research and providing assistance to local people at a very difficult time. By choosing to leave a gift in your Will to Cancer Focus NI’s research, you’re ensuring your gift stays in Northern Ireland and supports pioneering research, right here.

Cancer have created a  free Gift in Will guide  to take you through all the key things you need to know about making your Will and including a gift to Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. To find out more visit -  https://cancerfocusni.org/fundraising/gift/

If you would like to make a will this November, please contact us on 028 8772 4333 to make an appointment.


By Rory Patton 26 Oct, 2022
We are delighted to be sponsoring Dungannon Women's Rugby team player Kirsty Miskimmons this season.

We wish Kirsty and the rest of the team every success.
By Rory Patton 26 Sep, 2022
Read our latest blog to catch up on the headline changes to stamp duty 
By Rory Patton 04 Oct, 2021

How Will Aid works  

As participating solicitors, this October we will draw up a basic Will for you without charging our usual fee. Instead, you are invited to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid. The Will Aid charities all work with the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world, so that sum of money will have improved countless lives and by writing your will you may spare your family the distress of coping with legal complications as well as losing a loved one.

What is Will Aid?

Will Aid is an annual fundraising campaign involving nine of the UK’s leading charities. With the support of solicitors who donate their skills, people are encouraged to have their Will drawn up by a professional solicitor whilst at the same time supporting charity.  

What has Will Aid achieved?

Since 1988, Will Aid has enabled the legal profession to raise over £19 million for good causes. The Will Aid charities all work with the most vulnerable people in the UK and around the world, so that sum of money will have improved countless lives. You can find out more about the great work the Will Aid charities do by following this link.

Over those years, Will Aid has encouraged and helped more than 300,000 people to make their Wills. By writing their Wills, these people may have spared their family the distress of coping with legal complications as well as losing a loved one.


To find out more contact us on 02887724333 or email   info@fgpatton.co .uk
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