Former Senior Judge, Denzil Lush has recently shared his views on Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and their associated risks.
Having highlighted the lack of safeguards in the attorney system, the former Court of Protection Judge has stated that he would never sign one himself due to the potential impact it could have on family relationships.
Whilst it is important to acknowledge the comments that Lush expressed, it‘s also essential to view them in context, especially in light of his former profession. LPA cases that end up in court are unlikely to portray the power delegation in the best light.
Despite his comments being slightly less than positive, they do something which is important for the industry – raise public awareness of LPAs.
Later life planning and its significance is a subject rarely covered in the media, so when such issues are brought to the public’s attention, it provides the perfect opportunity for you to engage with clients.
Consumers are far more likely to be researching LPAs when the subject is brought to their attention; it’s, therefore, important to seize the chance to connect with them and demonstrate how your services could help.
Providing Will Writing and Probate professionals with a monthly pack of consumer-friendly articles, Editor Assist can help you easily and effectively attract more clients. Whether it’s on your website, blog, in leaflets or the local press, the informative content provided by Editor Assist can demonstrate your expertise within the industry, encouraging clients to use your services.
In support of LPAs, we have written an article exclusively for Editor Assist subscribers.
You can see a snippet of the article below:
‘A former Senior Judge recently shared his view on the risks surrounding Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and the need for the public to be aware of them.
‘During a radio interview for BBC Radio 4, Denzil Lush stated that due to the ‘devastating effect’ it can have on family relationships, he would never choose to sign an LPA himself.
‘LPAs enable a trusted individual to make decisions on behalf of someone who is unable to do so or has lost mental capacity. They can be a vital element of later life planning when considered and drafted effectively, providing peace of mind for those who need it the most.
‘Whilst the views of Lush are significant, it’s also important that they are put into context. Having spent two decades as a Senior Judge at the Court of Protection, he will have been exposed to the negative impact of LPAs, resulting in family disputes and fraudulent behaviour. Although this does occur, the majority of LPAs made will work for their intended purpose, operating in the best interests of all parties concerned.‘
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This article was submitted to be published by Editor Assist as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Wills & Probate. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Wills & Probate.
