General Power of Attorney
Short-term financial powers for capable donors.
A General Power of Attorney — sometimes referred to as an Ordinary Power of Attorney — is a legal document that authorises one or more people to act on your behalf in financial and legal matters for a defined period or purpose. Unlike a Lasting Power of Attorney, a General Power of Attorney automatically ceases to have effect if the donor loses mental capacity. It is therefore most appropriate for short-term or specific purposes — for example, managing a property transaction while you are abroad, or delegating financial management during a period of illness or incapacity that does not affect your mental capacity. BW Solicitors prepares General Powers of Attorney for clients across Ilford and London.
When Is a General Power of Attorney Appropriate?
A General Power of Attorney is commonly used in a range of practical situations where you need to authorise someone else to act on your behalf for a specific purpose or during a defined period. Because it ceases to be valid if you lose mental capacity, it is not a substitute for a Lasting Power of Attorney — but for many short-term and specific purposes it is a practical and cost-effective solution.
- Managing a property purchase or sale while you are abroad
- Dealing with financial institutions on your behalf during a period of absence
- Managing business matters during illness or temporary incapacity
- Allowing a trusted person to deal with a specific asset or transaction
- Short-term delegation of financial management
- Powers required for a specific transaction or period only
Scope and Limitations
A General Power of Attorney can be drafted to cover all of your financial and legal affairs, or limited to a specific purpose, property or transaction. It is essential that the scope of the power is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and potential misuse. Unlike an LPA, a General Power of Attorney does not need to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before use, but it must be properly executed as a deed to be legally effective.
- General powers — covering all financial and legal matters
- Limited powers — restricted to a specific property, account or transaction
- Time-limited powers — ceasing after a defined period
- The power ceases automatically if the donor loses mental capacity
- The donor can revoke the power at any time while they retain capacity
- Must be executed as a deed to be valid
The Difference Between a General and a Lasting Power of Attorney
The key difference between a General Power of Attorney and a Lasting Power of Attorney is that a General Power of Attorney automatically becomes invalid if the donor loses mental capacity, while an LPA is specifically designed to continue — or come into effect — when the donor loses capacity. For anyone concerned about future incapacity, an LPA is the appropriate document. A General Power of Attorney is suitable only for situations where the donor retains full mental capacity and requires short-term or specific assistance.
Why Choose BW Solicitors?
Our private client solicitors will advise you on whether a General Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney is the most appropriate document for your circumstances, and draft whichever is required with precision and care. We serve clients across Ilford, East London and Greater London.