Yes— in the United Kingdom you may choose separate people to handle money and medical choices. We open with the simple answer so readers feel steady from the start.
In plain terms, a power attorney is a legal paper that lets someone act on your behalf if you lose capacity or need help. Most people use two lasting power documents: one for property and finances, one for health and welfare.
We explain key choices here. You will learn how joint roles differ from joint-and-several roles. That affects speed, flexibility and control.
We also tackle the common worry about mixed representatives and dispute risk. Our aim is practical guidance, not jargon, with clear steps to avoid problems. If no LPA exists, we outline what typically happens and why planning ahead protects your family and assets.
Key Takeaways
- Separate roles for money and medical matters are allowed and often sensible.
- A power attorney gives someone authority to act on your behalf if needed.
- Choice of joint or joint-and-several affects how smoothly decisions flow.
- Clear paperwork and guidance reduce the risk of disputes.
- Without an LPA, families may face delays and court steps in a crisis.
Can you appoint different attorneys for health and finances UK?
It is perfectly lawful to split payment duties from care duties by using two lasting powers.
Yes: you may create separate lasting power documents. One covers property financial affairs. The other covers health welfare.
Why people choose separate roles
A donor picks who will act and what the document allows. That lets a trusted person handle bills while another supports care visits.
- Clear lanes reduce family arguments.
- One person can manage pensions and insurers; another focuses on care choices.
- Attorneys may be set to act jointly, jointly and severally, or a mix.
When this reduces stress
Separate roles keep routine payments moving. They let day-to-day preferences guide medical choices without delay.
| Role | Typical tasks | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Property & Financial Affairs | Pay bills, manage bank accounts, speak to insurers | Stable money management |
| Health & Welfare | Care decisions, medical appointments, living arrangements | Decisions reflect daily wishes |
| Both | Co-ordination on costly care choices | Better oversight and clarity |
Final note: if unsure, seek advice before signing. Early guidance saves loved ones time and friction when decisions arise.
Understanding the two types of lasting power of attorney
The law separates property decisions from care choices, so each lasting power has a distinct purpose. We explain what each document covers and when it takes effect.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA: what decisions your attorney can make
Typical tasks include:
- Managing bank accounts and paying bills.
- Dealing with pensions and investments.
- Handling property paperwork and tax matters.
Note: powers may be limited in the document if the donor prefers tighter control.
Health and Welfare LPA: what decisions your attorney can make
This covers care arrangements, daily support and where someone lives. Decisions about medical treatment are always centred on the donor’s prior wishes.
When each LPA can be used, and how mental capacity affects decision-making
Financial LPAs may operate once registered if the donor chooses that start. Health and welfare decisions only step in when the donor lacks mental capacity for that specific decision.
Capacity is decision-specific. Professionals should assume capacity unless an assessment shows otherwise.
Ordinary power of attorney vs lasting power: key differences
An ordinary or general power is usually temporary. It normally ends if capacity is lost. A lasting power remains valid after loss of capacity and needs an independent certificate provider when created.
| Type | Main areas covered | When it starts |
|---|---|---|
| Property & Financial Affairs | Banking, pensions, property admin | Once registered (if chosen) |
| Health & Welfare | Care, daily support, treatment choices | Only when capacity for that decision is lost |
| Ordinary/General | Short-term financial tasks | Ends if capacity is lost |
If you would like more detail about enduring and lasting arrangements, see enduring vs lasting power.
How decision-making works with more than one attorney
When more than one person holds power, how they must act affects daily life and major choices. We explain the rules so families know what to expect and how the process works in practice.
Act jointly: what it means in practice and where delays can happen
Act jointly means every decision needs agreement from every named person. That reduces risk and helps ensure choices reflect the donor’s wishes.
It can cause delays if one person is away, unwell or disagrees. Banks and conveyancers may require all signatures. That slows routine tasks as well as urgent steps.
Act jointly and severally: flexibility, speed, and the need for trust
Act jointly and severally lets any one person act alone. It speeds up paying bills and handling day-to-day matters.
This approach needs strong trust and regular contact. Without that, mistakes or conflicting actions are more likely.
Mixing approaches: making some decisions together and others separately
You can mix rules. Some powers require all to agree while others allow one to act. This keeps high-stakes moves safe and routine tasks quick.
“Make clear in the document which decisions need joint action and which do not.”
Real-world example: routine payments vs major decisions like selling property
Example: one person pays utilities, council tax and care fees promptly. But selling property or changing pension arrangements requires all named people to act together.
Whatever setup is chosen, each must act in the donor’s best interests and keep others informed. For guidance on holding separate lasting powers, see having two lasting powers.
Choosing the right person for each role
Picking who will act when you cannot is one of the most practical choices you will make.
We guide readers through choosing a reliable person for property financial affairs and a separate person for welfare and care decisions.
What to look for in a property and financial affairs person
Look for reliability. Choose someone with basic numeracy and a steady head.
They should be confident with banks, bills and paperwork. Calm handling of admin in a stressful time is vital.
What to look for in a health and welfare representative
Empathy and clear speech are essential. The right person must speak up at appointments.
They should understand your values and make sensible choices about care and medical treatment.
Location and availability matter. Being nearby helps with visits and reviews.
Family members versus professionals: typical trade-offs
Family often know the donor best and usually act without fees.
Professionals bring neutrality and process discipline, but they charge and may feel less personal.
“Good with money and good with people are two different skill sets — choose both if possible.”
Have an open conversation with the people you plan to nominate. Tell them what acting on your behalf would involve and check they are comfortable.
| Role | Key qualities | Typical benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Property financial affairs | Numeracy, reliability, paperwork confidence | Stable money management and timely payments |
| Health & welfare | Empathy, assertiveness, local availability | Decisions reflect values and prompt care |
| Family | Personal knowledge, low cost | Comfort but possible emotional strain |
| Professional | Neutrality, process expertise, fees apply | Consistent record-keeping and fewer disputes |
Practical note: if tension is likely between people, reduce risk by separating roles or adding clear instructions and boundaries.
Read our guide on how to choose the right person for extra advice and examples.
Safeguards and legal duties your attorneys must follow
Safeguards exist so those given power must act honestly and keep a clear paper trail. This keeps choices focused on the donor’s welfare and money, not on personal gain.
Core duty: every attorney must act in the donor’s best interests. They should follow the donor’s stated wishes where possible and avoid conflicts of interest.
Good records protect both the donor and those acting. Keep receipts, short notes of decisions, and a clear trail for large transactions. A simple folder or digital log often suffices.
Oversight and who steps in
The Office of the Public Guardian registers lasting powers and offers guidance. The public guardian may investigate concerns and supervise conduct.
If a serious dispute arises, the Court of Protection becomes involved. The court can review decisions, order remedies and remove someone who misuses their power.
What happens if things go wrong
Common triggers include poor communication, unclear boundaries or missing records. When concerns start, relatives may ask the office public guardian to review actions.
- Investigations may lead to a formal report.
- The court can suspend or remove the person with power.
- Decisions already made can be reviewed and, if needed, reversed.
In short: clear instructions, honest record-keeping and open talks reduce risk. Safeguards exist to protect the donor’s interests at every stage of the process.
Practicalities for finances: banks, payments, and accounts
When paperwork meets the bank, small details decide whether bills get paid on time.
We translate legal setup into everyday banking steps so families face less friction.
Accessing bank accounts and making payments under joint vs joint and several powers
If named persons must act together, banks often need all signatures. That can delay standing orders, care fees or urgent payments.
Joint and several usually lets one person act alone, speeding routine transactions. Trust and clear records are vital.
Closing or transferring accounts and what banks may ask to see
Banks will want the registered document, ID and sometimes their own forms. Large transfers attract extra checks and paperwork.
Expect branch visits and possible waiting times while the bank verifies the document.
Cheque books, debit cards, and online/telephone banking access
Access to cards and online banking varies by bank. Some allow full online setup, others require in-branch steps.
Keep certified copies of the registered document and a short contact list. This simple folder often avoids last-minute stress.
“Keep a clear copy of the registered document and a list of who to call — it saves time when things must be sorted quickly.”
How to set up and register separate LPAs in the UK
Setting up two separate lasting powers is straightforward when the steps are clear. We outline a simple process so you know what to expect and why early action helps protect the future.
Capacity and the certificate provider
You must have mental capacity when you make an LPA. That means you understand what the document does and the choices it allows.
An independent certificate provider confirms this. Their role is a safeguard. They check you are acting freely and that the document reflects your wishes.
Registration timelines and fees
In England and Wales the Office of the Public Guardian registers LPAs. The current fee is £92 per lasting power. Target processing time is about 10 weeks, though urgent requests may be prioritised.
Fee reductions or exemptions may be available depending on income or benefits. Ask the public guardian for details when you apply.
When each LPA starts
A Property & Financial Affairs LPA may be used once registered if the donor chooses. A Health & Welfare LPA only takes effect when the donor lacks capacity for that decision.
Tell key organisations—banks, GP practice and pension providers—once registration is complete. That avoids delay if action is needed.
- Complete each LPA form carefully.
- Choose a certificate provider and sign in their presence.
- Submit to the Office of the Public Guardian with the fee or a fee-help claim.
- Keep a copy and inform banks and medical teams once registered.
| Step | Who’s involved | Typical timescale | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form completion | Donor, certificate provider | 1–2 weeks | Free |
| Registration | Office of the Public Guardian | ~10 weeks (target) | £92 per LPA (or reduced) |
| Notifying organisations | Donor or representative | Varies (bank/GP) | Free |
Practical note: registering early avoids rushed decisions later. If unsure about the proper sequence of signatures, follow our guidance on the proper signing order.
What happens if you don’t have an LPA in place
Without a registered lasting power in place, loved ones often face legal roadblocks when action is needed.
Close family do not gain automatic authority. Relatives and friends may care deeply. That feeling does not give legal permission to manage bank accounts or sign official forms.
Why family can’t automatically make decisions on your behalf
Banks, pension providers and property services require documented authority before they change accounts or transfer funds. That is a strict rule to protect the donor.
In health and welfare situations, professionals make judgement calls when capacity is in doubt. They consult close people to learn preferences. Yet final say rests with clinicians acting in the person’s best interests.
When professionals step in and formal routes are needed
For ongoing financial affairs, formal legal routes may be necessary. Those routes take time, cost money and add stress.
- Unpaid bills can pile up while permission is sought.
- Care funding may be delayed when no one can sign paperwork.
- Property matters stall if nobody has authority to sell or manage an estate.
“Putting documents in place is about choice, not loss of control.”
We recommend acting early. Registering a lasting power removes uncertainty and protects others from being stuck in limbo. Learn more about costs and timings by looking at registering an LPA.
Conclusion
,Good planning means the right people hold the right powers when choices matter most.
Separate LPAs for property and for welfare let a trusted power attorney manage money while another handles care choices. Each lasting power covers different decisions and starts under set rules tied to mental capacity.
Decide whether named people must act together, or whether one may act alone. That choice affects speed, trust and daily handling of tasks.
Attorneys must act in the donor’s best interests. The Office of the Public Guardian provides oversight if concerns arise. Keep clear records and brief your nominees.
If unsure, seek prompt professional advice. Good planning keeps control with the donor and protects loved ones when decisions are needed.