Lasting Powers of Attorney
The thought of watching our friends and loved ones losing their mental capacity is hard to bear. Additionally, many of us will then experience the difficulties of dealing with their finances and welfare.
By creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), you can make your wishes clear if the worst should happen to you.
Our wills and probate solicitors can create an LPA that is legally valid and tailored to your specific needs. This will safeguard your future and the well-being of your loved ones.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is also known as an LPA. It is a legal document that allows you (the donor) to appoint someone you trust (the attorney) to make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity. This could be due to illness, injury, or old age.
These decisions can cover aspects such as healthcare, finances, and property management.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a separate document to your will. However, many people put them in place at the same time they write a will.
Do I Need to Make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
It is recommended to make a Lasting Power of Attorney, as without one, your spouse or civil partner will not be able to make decisions about your finances or health and care if you lose mental capacity.
Many people assume that if they are married or in a civil partnership, their spouse or civil partner will automatically be able to make decisions on their behalf, but this is not the case.
As a result it is important to set up an LPA while you still have mental capacity, and this is why many people make them at the same time as creating their Will.
What types of Lasting Power of Attorney are there?
There are two types of LPA, each serving a different purpose:
- Health and Welfare LPA, and
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA
Health and Welfare LPA
A Health and Welfare LPA empowers your attorney to make decisions about your:
- Medical care
- Living arrangements, and
- Support services
This type of LPA may also grant or withhold permission for life-sustaining treatment.
Your chosen attorney can only use this LPA when you lack the mental capacity to make these decisions yourself.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA authorises your attorney to manage your:
- Bank accounts
- Investments
- Property, and
- Any other financial matters
Unlike the Health and Welfare LPA, your attorney can use this LPA as soon as it is registered, unless you specify otherwise.
Do I Need a Solicitor to Create a Lasting Power of Attorney?
You don’t need a solicitor to create a Lasting power of Attorney. You can get the forms from the Office of the Public Guardian.
However, people often encounter issues when they create LPAs themselves. Often when it’s too late to do anything about it.
For example, a lack of legal guidance can lead to ambiguous instructions to your attorney(s). This could cause disputes and challenges later. In some cases, your instructions might not even be legally valid.
There have also been cases where the Court of Protection have prosecuted attorneys for breach of duty because they weren’t clear on their role.
We will act as Certificate Provider where we have been instructed to prepare the LPAs as part of our service. However, we don’t offer the service to act as Certificate Provider where clients have prepared their own LPAs.
What are the Benefits of Hiring a Solicitor to Help Create a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Working with a solicitor when creating an LPA offers several advantages:
Expertise and Experience
Solicitors are well-versed in the intricacies of LPA legislation. They can help you understand the legal implications of various provisions. They can:
- Tailor your LPA to your unique circumstances, and
- Ensure that it is legally binding and free of errors that could lead to disputes or challenges later.
Professional Guidance
A solicitor can explain the consequences of different LPA provisions.
They can help you appoint suitable attorneys and replacements. They can also register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Peace of Mind
Having a solicitor prepare your LPA ensures that your wishes are respected and carried out.
A professionally drafted LPA also reduces the:
- Risk of a potential abuse of power and
- Likelihood of family disputes over your affairs
Why Choose Rothera Bray?
Our Wills and Probate team have a wealth of experience in drawing up LPAs, no matter what your situation.
Once you instruct us you will be assigned a dedicated member of the team who will deal with your matter from start to finish and keep you updated at all stages.
Each of our eight offices across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire has fully qualified Wills and Probate staff who can advise and support you on your matter.
We can offer home or hospital visits if more convenient.
Several of our solicitors are members of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
For the standard of service we provide, our fixed fees are competitive. What you will pay will depend on the number of related LPAs you wish to have prepared.
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Kirsten Wood
Head of Wills and Probate
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Posted 10 July 2026
We were extremely satisfied with the service from Rothera Bray during the process of rewriting our Wills and Side letters. Our Wills are complex and our solicitor clarified the necessary changes and took the time needed to ensure we understood the legalities involved. The service was professional but friendly.
Bob and Yvonne Bundick
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Posted 9 July 2026
It’s lovely to deal with someone whom makes the process just so easy. Dealing with Talita at Rothera Bray was an absolute pleasure . Very professional and thorough.
Will client
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Posted 6 July 2026
Thank you to everyone for all your help over a long period of time. Your mannerism and efficiency to solve each issue was most impressive. I have recommended your services to others .What was going on in the background certainly tested my patience and you kept the ship running smoothly.
Daniel P
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Posted 17 June 2026
I can say that my experience has been a pleasure working with you and Rothera Bray. Thank you, and your work is excellent and I am grateful to you for it.
Mrs Clewes
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Posted 12 June 2026
Jasmin Marshall was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and explained complex legal terms and procedures in a simple understandable way. There was good communication and any tasks were completed promptly.
Mrs Yates
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Posted 6 June 2026
As a family, we have used Rothera Bray on legal matters on several occasions and most recently working with Talita on drafting Wills. She was professional, responded in a timely manner, communicated clearly and took on board any questions we had; we felt well supported throughout the process. Thank you Talita.
CY
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Posted 4 June 2026
I recently used Rothera Bray, as I usually do for all my affairs, to draft my Last Will in Testament, and I was extremely impressed with the service I received throughout the entire process. The team, especially Julie Graham, were professional, approachable, and incredibly patient in answering all of my questions and putting me at ease. Julie took the time to explain everything clearly, which made what I anticipated to be a stressful process, feel straightforward and reassuring. I particularly appreciated her attention to detail and the care shown in making sure my wishes were fully understood and accurately reflected. Communication was swift and excellent from start to finish, and I always felt I was in safe and capable hands. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone looking for professional and reliable legal support for Will writing and estate planning. Thanks as Always.
M Goode
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Posted 20 May 2026
We recently wished to effect a Declaration of Trust and changes to our tax positions with HMRC. It turned out to be relatively straightforward. However, in large part this was probably due to Ed Granger who dealt with the matter for us. He was highly attentive, full and clear in his explanations and checked our inputs thoroughly at every stage. Highly diligent, very pleasant and quick to respond. Thank you Ed.
Anonymous
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Posted 15 May 2026
From start to finish, the process of completing our LPAs and rewriting our wills was handled with professionalism and courtesy.
C & J Whiting
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Posted 15 May 2026
Ed was efficient and professional for a matter that needed to be sorted reasonably urgently. He was incredibly accommodating for meetings and explained the procedure and meanings of things very well so that I was able to make clear and informed decisions about what was suitable for me and my partner. Thank you.
Aimee Crawford
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Posted 6 May 2026
Following the death of our mother, we sought advice, guidance, and help with the probate and potential inheritance tax processes... We were not disappointed. From start to finish, Nelissa Hicks and Rothera Bray solicitors have provided a super-professional and speedy service. We'd recommend anyone, regardless of position and requirements to your needs, engage with them at the earliest opportunity, as we will do so again in the future.
Trevor F
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Posted 1 May 2026
The whole process was a delight and I very much appreciate the professional, straight forward way in which you dealt with myself and my sister. May I thank you very much indeed for all your work in this matter and please be assured that Rothera Bray will be my first choice for any further matters of this nature.
Dr Gregg
Jeremy Allen
Partner & Head of Trusts and Court of Protection
Jeremy Allen is a Wills, Probate and Trusts specialist at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market offices in the heart of Nottingham City Centre.
Russell Dalby
Partner
Russell is a Partner based at our Market Harborough office and specialises in all areas of Private Client work. He predominantly deals with probate administration and estate planning work – such as advising on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Inheritance Tax planning.
Ann Farnill
Partner
Ann Farnill is a Partner in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department and is based at our Mapperley office. She specialises in Wills, Inheritance Tax planning, Powers of Attorney including acting for lay attorneys, Estate planning and administration.
Nelissa Hicks
Partner
Nelissa is Partner at Rothera Bray with a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry. Nelissa has over 20 years’ experience as a Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts solicitor and is based at our Loughborough office. She is skilled in Inheritance Tax Planning and the Administration of Trusts and Estates.
Martin Witherspoon
Partner
Martin provides advice and assistance with regard to Wills, Powers of Attorney and administration of estates at our West Bridgford Office.
Kirsten Wood
Partner & Head of Wills and Probate
Kirsten Wood leads the firm’s Wills and Probate department and is a partner with over 18 years’ experience specialising in will drafting, tax, trusts, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney.
Melissa Merry
Consultant
Melissa Merry is a Consultant in our Wills and Probate department, with over 30 years of experience in private client work. Melissa is based at our Derby city centre branch.
Laura Clare
Managing Associate
Laura Clare is a Managing Associate at Rothera Bray’s Derby office and specialises in advising clients in relation to Wills, Powers of Attorney, Inheritance Tax Planning and Estate Administrations and Trust Creation and Administrations.
Mark Hopper
Managing Associate
Mark Hopper is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and specialises in the administration of taxable estates and trusts, and the drafting of Wills involving the use of trusts.
Sally Jahangir
Managing Associate
Sally Jahangir is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Private Client team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Eleanor Robinson
Managing Associate
Eleanor Robinson is a Wills, Probate and Trusts specialist at and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Sarah Soo
Managing Associate
Sarah Soo is a Wills and Probate specialist at Rothera Bray Solicitors and has specialised in private client work since she began her career. Sarah is currently based at both our Beeston and Nottingham offices.
Amelia Carruthers
Senior Associate Solicitor
Amelia Carruthers is a Senior Associate at Rothera Bray’s Derby office and is experienced in drafting wills, lasting powers of attorney, administering estates and providing tax advice and planning.
Sandra Garvey
Senior Associate
Sandra is a Senior Associate in our Wills & Probate department based at our Market Harborough office and has over 35 years in experience in dealing in all areas of Wills & Probate.
Julie Graham
Senior Associate Solicitor
Julie is a Senior Associate Solicitor in our Wills and Probate department and is based at our West Bridgford Office.
Amy Goodwin
Associate Solicitor
Amy Goodwin is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Derby office.
Ed Granger
Associate Solicitor
Ed is an associate solicitor in the firm’s specialist trusts team. He is based at our Lace Market office.
Sam Hardy
Associate
Sam is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department, specialising in trusts and estates administration. He is based at our Market Harborough office.
Rebecca Lee
Associate Solicitor
Rebecca is an Associate Solicitor in our Wills & Probate team based at our Leicester office.
Jasmin Marshall
Associate Solicitor
Jasmin Marshall is an Associate Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Mapperley office.
Laura Windsor
Associate Chartered Legal Executive
Laura Windsor is an Associate Chartered Legal Executive in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Beeston office.
Libby Birt
Solicitor
Libby Birt is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Loughborough office.
Toby Byford
Solicitor
Toby is a Solicitor in the firms specialist Trusts team. He is based at our Lace Market office.
Talita Fantauzzi
Solicitor
Talita Fantauzzi is a Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Nottingham office.
Rebecca Holmes
Legal Executive
Rebecca is a Legal Executive in our Wills & Probate team. She is based at our Lace Market office.
Azeem Iqbal
Solicitor
Azeem Iqbal is a solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Beeston office.
Brett James
Private Client Executive
Brett James is a Wills and Probate Private Client Executive at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Ria Makwana
Solicitor
Ria Makwana is a Private Client Solicitor specialising in Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Administration, and is based at our Loughborough office.
Priya Navsaria
Solicitor
Priya Navsaria is a solicitor in the Wills and Probate team and is based at our Leicester office.
Sallie Poultney
Private Client Executive
Sallie is a Private Client Executive in the Private Client Department at our Market Harborough office. She advises clients on a range of private client services including Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Alison Richardson
Legal Executive
Alison Richardson is a member of the wills, trust & probate team based at our Mapperley branch.
Morgan Bramley
Trainee Solicitor
Morgan is a Trainee Solicitor in our Private Client department and is based at the Mapperley office.
Isabelle Cartwright
Trainee Solicitor
Isabelle Cartwright is a Trainee Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Loughborough office.
Sabita Kandel
Trainee Solicitor
Sabita Kandel is a Trainee Solicitor in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Beeston office.
Jack Cooper
Senior Paralegal
Jack Cooper is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based in Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Anna Guy
Senior Paralegal
Anna Guy has over 10 years’ experience of working in law firms, and 7 years’ experience of dealing with Wills and Probate matters. She’s based at our West Bridgford branch.
Rochelle Hutton
Senior Paralegal
Rochelle works in the private client team at the Market Harborough office, having joined the firm in November 2024.
Hollie Moore
Senior Paralegal
Hollie Moore is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Mapperley office.
Emma Seaton
Senior Paralegal
Emma Seaton is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Mapperley office.
Lisa Warren
Senior Paralegal
Lisa Warren is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based in Derby.
Beth Ashton
Paralegal
Beth Ashton is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Derby Office.
Patrycja Cioch
Paralegal
Patrycja Cioch is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Market Harborough office.
Kate Dawes
Paralegal
Kate Dawes is a Paralegal in our Wills and Probate department and is based at our Leicester office.
Amy Emmerson
Paralegal
Amy Emmerson is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our Beeston office.
Michelle Kingston
Paralegal
Michelle Kingston is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham branch.
Kathryn Lane
Paralegal
Kathryn Lane is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Loughborough office.
Elaine Langley
Paralegal
Elaine is a Paralegal in the Wills and Probate department based at the West Bridgford office.
Morgan McGahan
Paralegal
Morgan is a Paralegal in our Wills and Probate department and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Janet Prentice
Paralegal
Janet Prentice is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department and is based at our Lace Market office in the heart of Nottingham city centre.
Gill Subbarao
Paralegal
Gill Subbarao is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Mapperley office.
Hannah Walker
Paralegal
Hannah Walker is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate team and is based at our West Bridgford office.
Georgia Weller
Paralegal
Georgia is a Paralegal in our Wills and Probate team. She is based at our Market Harborough office.
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