Lasting Power of Attorney

Appoint someone you trust today, for peace of mind tomorrow.

Planning ahead gives peace of mind, both to you and those you care about.  A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if, in the future, you are unable to do so yourself.  The person you choose to look after your affairs is known as your Attorney.


Our Expertise

At BCR, our team of experts guide clients through the process of preparing and registering LPAs, ensuring everything is done with care and legal precision.  Whether you’re thinking ahead for your own affairs or helping a loved one, our team is here to help you put the right protections in place.


Our Approach

We ensure that even the most technical matters are handled with empathy and efficiency.

There are two types of LPAs in Jersey:

Property and Affairs: This covers financial matters such as managing bank accounts, paying bills, handling property and dealing with pensions or investments.

Health and Welfare: this covers decisions about healthcare, living arrangements, personal welfare and medical treatment.

You can choose to make one or both types of LPA. You decide who to appoint, what powers they will have and any limitations or preferences you want to include. We recommend that an LPA is considered at the same time as your Will is prepared or updated.

Legal Framework

The creation and use of LPAs in Jersey is governed by the Capacity and Self-Determination (Jersey) Law 2016 and provides a modern, rights-based approach by empowering individuals to decide in advance who should act for them, should they lose capacity.

To be valid, an LPA must be registered with the Royal Court before it can be used by your Attorney/s.  Once registered, an LPA remains valid indefinitely unless it is revoked by the donor or cancelled by the Court.

Why Make an LPA

Without an LPA in place, if you lose capacity your loved ones will not have automatic authority to manage your affairs.  They would need to apply to the Royal Court to be appointed as a delegate, a process that takes time, incurs costs and may result in someone you would not have chosen being appointed.  We are often required to assist clients who have left things too late.

By setting up an LPA, you can:

  • Choose who you want to act for you.
  • Give clear instructions on how your affairs should be managed.
  • Avoid delays and legal uncertainty for your family.
  • Retain some control over future decisions, even if you lose capacity.

LPAs are particularly valuable if you:

  • Are ageing and want to plan ahead.
  • Are living with a degenerative condition (such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s).
  • Travel often or live abroad.
  • Run a business and want to ensure continuity.
  • Simply want peace of mind.

Choosing Your Attorney(s)

Your attorney should be someone you trust to act in your best interests. This could be a spouse, child, close friend or professional advisor. You may wish to appoint more than one individual and dictate how certain decisions are made between them.

We advise on the best structure for your situation, including safeguards to reduce the risk of abuse or conflict.

What Attorneys Can and Cannot Do

Attorneys must act in accordance with the law and your wishes at all times. They cannot make decisions outside the powers granted by an LPA before it is registered nor can they override your wishes if you still have capacity.

Our team offers clear guidance to attorneys, so they understand their responsibilities and how to carry them out lawfully.

LPAs for Business Owners

For business owners, having an LPA is especially important. If you were to lose capacity without a valid LPA, your business could be left without leadership, with no one able to access accounts, sign contracts or authorise payments.

A Property and Affairs LPA can ensure that a trusted colleague or professional can step in to keep operations running smoothly.  We offer tailored advice to business owners on how to structure this, alongside continuity and governance planning.

Our Values in Action

Excellent: Legally precise, thorough and forward-thinking.

Respectful: We listen to your wishes and maintain your dignity at all times.

Reliable: We deliver without delay and guide you through each step.

Elegant: We bring clarity and calm to even the most complex family circumstances.


Why BCR Law

Our Private Client team is recognised for its empathetic approach to LPA matters. We take the time to understand your wishes, explain everything in clear straightforward language and ensure you feel confident and comfortable at every stage of the process.

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