An Ordinary Power of Attorney is a Legal Document by which you, the Donor ,  can appoint one or more persons, the Donee , to make decisions and sign documents on your behalf . The Power can either be General  or  Limited for example in time or to specific tasks such as the sale of a house .
 
Such a Power can be particularly useful or appropriate in circumstances where for example you anticipate being abroad for an extended period of time .
 
However an Ordinary Power of Attorney automatically ceases to be valid in the event of the Donor losing Mental Capacity.
 
As an alternative , and to guard against that possibility , you might wish to consider creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) which can either last beyond or only come into effect in the event of your losing Mental Capacity.
 
There are two types of LPA , one limited to Property and Financial Affairs and the other to matters of Health and Welfare and it is possible to make either one  or both.
 
Once  a Property and Financial Affairs LPA has been properly registered  the Donee , with your permission whilst you remain mentally capable  , can attend to such matters as paying Bills and collecting in Pension and Benefit payments on your behalf.
 
A Health and Welfare LPA will only become effective upon your losing Mental Capacity and in such a case would empower your Donee to make decisions on such issues as daily routine and living arrangements , medical care and if applicable life saving treatment.

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