This section contains information powers of attorney in Northern Ireland. If you are looking for information on powers of attorney in England & Wales or Scotland, then you should read our articles on England & Wales or Scotland, as appropriate.

At any stage in life people can become unable to manage their own affairs for a variety of reasons. They may be incapacitated by an accident, ill-health or the onset of mental illness. This makes the paying of bills, the managing of financial decisions and other important everyday routines difficult and in some cases impossible. It is therefore important to consider appointing an attorney under an enduring power before such an event occurs.

A power of attorney is the formal authority under which a person gives authority to another to act on their behalf. For a power of attorney to be valid, it must be signed as a deed and witnessed by an independent witness. There is no requirement for it to be registered.

A copy that is certified as being a true copy of the original power of attorney by the person who gave it is proper proof of the original document.

Generally speaking, it is worth planning ahead. When someone becomes incapable of managing their affairs any longer, it can be a very difficult time for them, their family and friends. From both a practical and financial point of view, it makes sense to consider appointing an attorney under an enduring power before that day arrives. Once somebody has become unable to manage, they cannot appoint an attorney.

Family and friends do not automatically have the right to take over. The EPA has been created to ensure that whilst you are of sound mind you can choose who you want to look after your affairs, should that become necessary at some point in the future.

If you have already made a Will, then an EPA will complement this and help to reassure both you and your family that you have made detailed plans for the future.