Power of attorney.

Thanks Katek for this thread, it's reminded me this has been on our "to do" list", along with updating our wills, for several months now. I didn't know it could be done online either, thanks to pompa for the link.

RSPCA - I no longer donate to them, I give money to our local dog shelter which doesn't put down healthy animals or spend a fortune on its own organisation. I made 3 referrals to the RSPCA when I was working and came across animals in dangerous/neglectful/abusive situations. Zilch was the response. I returned to one home a couple of weeks later, to find the huge dog was still chained up in the back yard, no access to food or water, no shelter from the elements. It's tail was tucked firmly under its belly and when the 'master' of the house bellowed at it to "shut the up or I'll batter you" because it was howling - it shut the up instantly (as did the children I was visiting there) Yes, I did re-refer to the RSPCS, no nothing ever did happen.

A point to ponder. We often think we should make a will (even if we don't actually get around to it) as death can come unexpectedly at any age. However we tend to put off LPA's as we will only go doolally slowly, BUT stroke etc could bring this unfortunate state on at any time without warning, better to get your LPA done asap.

Just got my registered LPA back from my online application. It took just 7 weeks, well within the 10 weeks quoted.

As soon as I feel well enough (bl...dy virus) am going to post office to send off POA which was drawn up 10 years ago but not registered.

I didn't do anything about a POA regarding ill health. How does that work please?

I've found it on C of P website.

My sister in law has recently been diagnosed with Dementia and her husband was too late to apply for power of attorney due to her having become incapacitated. She's in hospital now and he's having to apply to the courts for guardianship. This process is to take up to 12 weeks for him to be able to manage his wife's welfare and financial responsibilities. It's got me thinking we should all consider applying for POA while we are in good health. It's a shocker if we haven't prepared for our nearest and dearest to take charge when we become unable to do so.

I went to visit my 93 year old mother-in-law today. Fortunately her sons had her solicitor draw up power of attorney for her last year before she got dementia. My husband had done one before he died, which made things easier for me and our sons.
However, I was asked today, after she spent an hour and a half shouting and screaming and occasionally turning round to try and hit me, if I knew her end of life plan. Both her sons are on holiday. I said they could sort that out when they got back from holiday, as she was obviously in no fit state today to talk reasonably.
That's something else to think about before the dementia gets you.

What made you stay for an hour and a half if your MIL was in such a distressed state, screaming and trying to hit you, durhamjen?

Of course you feel you have to visit her, but it doesn't sound as though she's likely to be able to decide on an 'end of life plan' if she hasn't already done it.

I agree that we need to sort such things out while we're still compos mentis though.

Because when I arrived there, she was with a care assistant in one of the day rooms. The assistant went to get me a cup of coffee, and left me with her. When she came back, she said call if you want anything and left the room.
As my mother in law quite often falls off her chair and injures herself, I could not leave her to ask anyone to help.
She wasn't shouting and screaming at me. She was screaming for her mother, her sisters, people I'd never heard of before. When she turned round to hit me, it wasn't me she was lashing out at. I had to sit close enough to stop her getting up out of her chair.
When I left, there were two other visitors in the carpark who asked if I was okay. The care assistants said she was lovely most of the time, but one of these visitors said that last Saturday she shouted for at least three hours, and on Sunday it was longer.
This was the first time I had seen her like this.

So sorry to hear of these circumstances durhamjen I feel for you and your mother in law