Pets aren't just for Christmas, but a Power of Attorney could be. When you're away on holiday or out of action temporarily, they can prove very useful.
There's a common misconception that Powers of Attorney (PoAs) are just for the elderly and infirm. And also that they involve handing over the reins entirely or forever.
None of that has to be the case. Most people don't realise that PoAs can be used at any stage in life, even if you're perfectly fit. This is where Christmas comes in.
Ensuring business as usual
Let's say you're heading off for a Christmas skiing break or trip somewhere warm and remote. And let's also say that during that time, you have some admin processes ticking along, from selling your home to the day-to-day business of managing your investments.
If you're hit by travel delays, a digital outage, or an accident, you could find yourself unable to look after these matters yourself.
In these and other situations, having a PoA that covers your financial, property, or business affairs (also known as a continuing PoA) could help save the day. Your trusted solicitor could simply step in and handle matters until you're able to take charge again.
It doesn't mean losing control
People often fear that a PoA means giving up control of your affairs to someone else. But it's more helpful to see it as enlisting someone to help you if you need it.
We also compare it to an insurance policy – you may not want to use it, but it's there to protect you if you need it: whether you're marooned on holiday, having an operation, or sidelined by illness or injury, either short-term or long-term.
Take advice
To make a PoA work best for you, it's important to get tailored advice on who best to appoint as your attorney, what powers to give them, and how to minimise the risk of any complications down the line. Our team can help with that.
