Why Married Couples Should Get an LPA: The Personal and Social Impact of Planning Ahead
04th August 2025
When you’re married, it’s natural to assume your spouse will automatically be able to make decisions on your behalf if something happens to you. But this is a common, and risky, misconception.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that gives someone you trust the authority to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. Even in marriage, without one, your spouse cannot automatically access your bank accounts, manage joint assets or make health decisions on your behalf.
But getting an LPA isn’t just a smart personal move. It’s a decision that carries far-reaching social and systemic benefits. Here’s how your individual action contributes to a more resilient, less burdened society.
Protecting Each Other, Legally and Emotionally
For couples, setting up LPAs ensures each partner can step in smoothly if the other becomes unwell or incapacitated. Without one, even managing everyday finances or speaking with healthcare providers can become an uphill battle.
Instead of waiting for a crisis, setting up an LPA in advance gives peace of mind and reduces emotional stress during difficult times, not just for your partner, but for your children, relatives and carers too.
Reducing Pressure on the Court of Protection
When there’s no LPA, families must apply to the Court of Protection to gain legal authority to act. This process can take months, involves legal costs and can leave families in limbo, all while decisions around care, bills, or property are urgently needed.
By setting up an LPA, you’re helping to free up court time and public resources for cases that truly need judicial intervention.
Supporting the NHS and Social Care System
A major hidden benefit of LPAs is how they streamline health and care decision-making. When families have clarity and legal authority in place, doctors and care teams can act quickly, without legal ambiguity or ethical concerns.
This prevents delays in treatment, avoids unnecessary hospital stays, and supports faster discharge planning, all of which help to reduce the burden on our already stretched NHS and social services.
Leading by Example
Every time a couple takes action to plan ahead, it helps shift public attitudes around future planning. The more common LPAs become through using services like Power of Attorney Online, the less taboo or intimidating they feel.
By taking this step, you also help normalise conversations around ageing, incapacity and end-of-life planning, empowering others to act early too.
An LPA isn’t just for the elderly. As Martin Lewis has said, “I’ve had mine since I was 35”. Setting one up as a married couple isn’t just a personal safeguard, it’s a socially responsible decision that protects your family and supports the wider system.
