In the UK, almost four in ten people over the age of 55 do not have a valid will. Even fewer have arranged Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), the critical documents that are only needed when it is already too late to create them. Without these legal essentials in place, families can find themselves locked out of bank accounts, unable to make care decisions, and facing costly court battles during an already stressful time.
This is not just a problem for your clients. It is a direct risk to your working relationship with them.
Why Legal Preparation Matters to You
If a client loses mental capacity from a stroke, dementia, or a sudden illness, you are unable to take their instructions without a registered Property & Financial Affairs LPA. This situation can freeze financial planning instantly, create hardship for the family, and damage the trusted relationship you have built over years.
There are two types of LPA in England and Wales, and both are critical for holistic planning:
- Property & Financial Affairs LPA: This covers decisions about your client's money, property, banking, and investments.
- Health & Welfare LPA: This covers decisions about your client's medical treatment, care options, and living arrangements.
Without these documents, family members must apply to the Court of Protection in a process that is time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining.
From Legal Documents to an "Emergency-Ready" File
Beyond the official documents, one of the biggest sources of stress in a care emergency is not knowing where to find key information. You can add immense value by encouraging clients to create an "emergency-ready" file for their family. This is where a tool like the PodVault becomes indispensable, providing a secure, digital space for clients to store and share vital instructions with loved ones. This file should include details on where to find:
- Legal documents like wills and LPAs
- Insurance and adviser contact information
- A list of emergency contacts
- Practical home instructions for things like pets or subscriptions
Legal preparation is not just about protecting a client's wishes; it protects your ability to continue supporting them and their family when they need you most.
