Lasting Power of Attorney: A Quiet Revolution in Autonomy and Trust
24th July 2025
When we think about control over our lives, we tend to focus on the here and now, the decisions we make each day about our health, finances and relationships. But what happens if we’re no longer able to make those choices ourselves? Who steps in? Who can we trust? And how can we make sure our voice is still heard?
That’s where a Lasting Power of Attorney comes in and why it’s not just a legal formality, but a powerful tool for preserving autonomy and building trust in families and society.
A Legal Document That Protects Your Voice
An LPA allows you to legally appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. There are two types: one for Health & Welfare and another for Property & Financial Affairs. But at their heart, both types are about the same thing: protecting your right to choose.
By making an LPA, you’re not handing over control, you’re defining it. You’re making clear who you trust and what you want. You’re deciding now how decisions should be made later, in circumstances that could otherwise leave your loved ones confused and powerless.
This is autonomy in action, and it doesn’t just serve the individual. It benefits everyone around them.
Building Trust in Families
When a crisis hits and someone loses capacity, it’s often left to family members to figure out what to do. Without an LPA, this can lead to uncertainty, disagreement and stress. But with an LPA in place, roles are clear, legal authority is established and the emotional burden is lighter.
Even more importantly, the person stepping in knows they’re acting with full permission and guidance, because the person they love made that choice themselves. This clarity can help preserve relationships and reduce conflict during already difficult times.
A More Compassionate Society
The impact goes beyond the family. When people have LPAs in place, decisions about healthcare, social care or financial matters can be made swiftly and appropriately. That saves time for doctors, social workers, banks, and care homes, in turn preventing unnecessary delays, costs and confusion.
It also allows for more person-centred care. With LPAs, those making decisions on someone’s behalf are more likely to understand their values, wishes and beliefs. That builds a system rooted in trust, where vulnerable people are protected, not just processed.
Empowering Through Planning
At first glance, an LPA might seem like a worst-case-scenario tool. Something only relevant when things go wrong. But in reality, it’s one of the most empowering actions a person can take. It gives you the final say in your future, even when you can’t speak for yourself.
And in a world where we’re living longer and facing increasingly complex medical and financial decisions, that autonomy is not just a personal right — it’s a public good.
