{"id":1173,"date":"2020-02-06T20:52:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T20:52:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/family-matters.co.uk\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2020-05-12T11:20:25","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T11:20:25","slug":"safeguarding-vulnerable-people-in-times-of-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/family-matters.co.uk\/lpas\/safeguarding-vulnerable-people-in-times-of-need\/","title":{"rendered":"Lasting Power of Attorney – “Safeguarding Vulnerable People In Times Of Need”"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Heather Bateman Story<\/b><\/p>\n

Michael and Heather Bateman, had been\u00a0 happily married for 28 years, they had a large family of 2 children, 4 stepchildren and 6 step grandchildren.<\/p>\n

Both Michael and Heather had written Wills, they were both named on the deeds of the house, they shared in London and a cottage in Norfolk, which was a second home, mainly used as a holiday home,\u00a0 in which they originally bought as a renovation project.<\/p>\n

During their marriage, they both worked, but had separate bank accounts, however, as Michael was the main breadwinner, his bank account was used to cover all the bills, mortgages and living costs to run the family home.<\/p>\n

Life was great, they enjoyed having a big family and their children were doing well in their jobs and at university.<\/p>\n

However, life would never be the same again!<\/p>\n

In September 2003, Michael and Heather were having a quiet walk in the country, when Michael was hit by a car, as he crossed the quiet country road.\u00a0 He fell to the ground, he never stood up or spoke a word again. He was rushed to hospital, where he fell into a coma.<\/p>\n

And Heather’s three year nightmare had begun.<\/p>\n

Even though Michael and Heather had both written a Will, there was no Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This meant that following Michael\u2019s incapacitated state, that Heather would struggle getting access to Michaels\u2019 accounts\u00a0 in order to keep the costs of running a home and looking after their family.<\/p>\n

\u201c We had written our Wills, I assumed that was all we would need\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

explained Heather Bateman.<\/p>\n

A lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document, that enables you to appoint a third party to handle your affairs, like your loved ones, it allows your loved ones to take care of you and your finances, should you become unable to do so.<\/p>\n

There are two types of LPAs:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA<\/b>, this allows your loved ones to deal with your financial decisions, like paying your bills, buying and selling your property and managing bank accounts and investments.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. A Health and Welfare LPA<\/b>, covers the decisions around your health and care, even deciding on where you live. An LPA ensures that you should be unable to manage your own affairs, the people you have appointed can manage your financial life on your behalf. This can save a great deal of money and unnecessary distress and will ensure that your affairs will be handled correctly and quickly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Leaving it too late can mean that trusted relatives and friends are powerless to make decisions for you.<\/p>\n

    Powerless and dealing with a traumatic and emotional situation, Heather was not allowed to have access to any of Michael\u2019s money. Desperate and confused, she seeked advice from The Citizens Advice Bureau, (CAB), from there she made contact with the Court of Protection or Public Guardianship Office.<\/p>\n