There are many situations in life where you may need someone you trust to help manage your financial affairs temporarily. Whether you are travelling abroad for an extended period, working overseas, recovering from illness, or waiting for a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to be registered, a General Power of Attorney can provide a practical and flexible solution.
In this article, we explain what a General Power of Attorney is, when it can be useful, and how it differs from a Lasting Power of Attorney.
What is a General Power of Attorney?
A General Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you (known as the “donor”) to appoint another person (known as the “attorney”) to deal with your financial matters on your behalf.
This can include tasks such as:
- Managing bank accounts
- Paying bills
- Signing documents
- Dealing with property transactions
- Handling investments or business matters
The document can be tailored to give broad authority or limited powers for a specific purpose or timeframe.
Importantly, a General Power of Attorney can only be used whilst the donor still has mental capacity.
When can a General Power of Attorney be useful?
While waiting for an LPA to be registered
Many people are surprised to learn that registering a Lasting Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian can take several weeks, and sometimes longer depending on demand.
During this period, the appointed attorneys cannot act until the registration process has been completed.
A General Power of Attorney can help bridge that gap by allowing someone trusted to deal with urgent financial matters in the meantime. This can be particularly useful if there are property transactions underway, bills to manage, or important deadlines approaching.
It can provide reassurance and continuity while waiting for the LPA to become fully effective.
Managing affairs while abroad or unavailable
A General Power of Attorney is also commonly used where someone is:
- Travelling for a long period
- Working overseas
- Serving in the armed forces
- Recovering from surgery or illness
- Otherwise temporarily unavailable
For example, if you are spending several months abroad, you may wish to appoint a trusted family member or professional to handle banking, sign documents, or deal with the sale or purchase of property in your absence.
This can avoid delays and make day-to-day matters much easier to manage.
How is it different from a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Although both documents allow someone else to act on your behalf, there are some important differences.
A General Power of Attorney:
- Is usually intended as a temporary arrangement
- Only covers financial matters
- Stops automatically if you lose mental capacity
- Does not need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian
By contrast, a Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Can continue if you lose mental capacity
- Must be registered before use
- Can cover both financial matters and health and welfare decisions
- Is generally intended as a long-term planning tool
For many people, a General Power of Attorney works well alongside an LPA rather than replacing it.
Choosing the right attorney
As with any power of attorney, it is essential to appoint someone you trust completely. Your attorney will have authority to deal with important financial matters and should understand their responsibilities clearly.
You may appoint:
- A family member
- A friend
- A professional adviser, such as a solicitor
It is also sensible to consider whether the power should be limited to specific tasks or time periods.
Seeking legal advice
A General Power of Attorney can be an extremely useful and practical document in the right circumstances, particularly where short-term assistance is needed quickly.
However, it is important that the document is drafted correctly and reflects your wishes clearly. Legal advice can help ensure the power is suitable for your particular circumstances and works effectively alongside any existing or future Lasting Powers of Attorney.
At Beers Solicitors, our Private Client team can advise you on General Powers of Attorney, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and wider future planning arrangements to help protect your interests and provide peace of mind for you and your family.
Contact us
Our experienced legal team is always happy to help.
Kingsbridge office
📞 Tel: 01548 857000
Plymouth office
📞 Tel: 01752 246000
With offices in Kingsbridge and Plymouth, we support clients across Devon and the South West with clear, practical advice.