steviel said:
As I am new to this site I am finding my way around it and reading you guys talking about EPA I feel this is something I need to do for my father whilst he is able to understand. I think this will make life easier when talking to his bank etc, who are unable to deal with me otherwise and as he loses his cash point card sometimes it is difficult to sort matters out. Would EPA work for me?
Yes; you need to be able to create the EPA
whilst your father is able to understand what he is doing by creating it. This is called being "competent". If you are already "not competent" you cannot create an EPA.
When (or if) the person (called the donor) becomes unable to manage their financial affairs, the person who will do so on their behalf (called the attorney) registers the Power of Attorney with the Court of Protection.
They are then able to act on the donor's behalf in most financial situations such as dealing with matters at the bank. You would have powers to operate the account just as your father would. Banks do, of course, require that you provide documentary evidence, that is usually the EPA document which will be stamped with the date of registration and the seal of the Court.
The legislation is changing and EPA's will become LPA's - Lasting Power of Attorney is more powerful but more complicated. However, EPA's created before the changeover date will remain valid even if they have not yet been registred, and can still be registred when appropriate.
The site of the Public Guardianship Office has a page that tells you everything about EPA's and it is here
http://www.guardianship.gov.uk/theservice/enduringpower.htm
Most people create EPA's as a sort of insurance policy, against a time when they may be needed.
It is better to have it and never need it than to need it and not have it.
