Posted 21 Oct, 2025

Imagine this.
Your mum gets scammed by someone pretending to be from the bank. You call the bank straight away, desperate to stop it. But they refuse to speak to you because you’re not authorised.

You’re her next of kin, her child, maybe even the person she trusts most in the world - but that doesn’t give you any legal right to step in. Without a Power of Attorney in place, your hands are tied.

Now picture the same situation, but this time you are your mum’s attorney.
You can call the bank.
You can report the fraud.
You can speak to utility companies and stop payments before more money is lost.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most effective safeguarding tools families have today. With scams becoming more sophisticated and older adults increasingly targeted, an LPA can make the difference between helplessness and protection.

It gives someone you trust the legal authority to act quickly, speak to the right people, and protect your finances when it matters most.

Setting up an LPA is simple, and it’s far easier to put one in place now than to try to fix things when it’s too late.

Ready to Protect Your Loved Ones? Here’s What to Do Next

  1. Check if a Power of Attorney is already in place
    Ask your parent or loved one if they have a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, and whether it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. Without registration, banks and other organisations cannot accept it.

  2. If none is in place, start setting one up
    Choose a trusted person or people to act as attorney. They must be over 18 and mentally capable. Decide how much authority you want them to have - make sure it covers bank accounts, savings, transfers, and bill payments. Once the document is drafted, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

  3. Notify relevant organisations once the LPA is registered
    Contact your bank and other key organisations such as utility companies or pension providers. Provide the registered LPA and proof of identity for the attorney so they can add the authority to their records.

  4. Act early if there’s any risk of vulnerability or abuse
    Older adults are more likely to be targeted by online scams and financial abuse. Having a registered LPA allows the attorney to intervene immediately by freezing accounts, stopping unauthorised payments, and protecting assets. Without it, a costly and time-consuming deputyship application may be the only option.

  5. Keep records and review regularly
    Anyone acting as an attorney must always put the donor’s best interests first. They should keep the donor’s money separate from their own and record all financial decisions and transactions. It’s also important to review the Power of Attorney regularly to make sure it still matches the donor’s wishes and that the chosen attorney is still the right person for the role.

If you’d like to discuss setting up a Power of Attorney or reviewing an existing one, Endeavour Law can guide you through every step, from drafting and registration to notifying banks and ensuring your loved one’s finances are properly safeguarded.

Director Meinir Evans is on the Office of the Public Guardian panel, and Endeavour Law is one of only four firms in Wales to hold this position. You’ll be in safe hands with trusted experts who understand the importance of protecting what matters most.