Can My Attorneys Use My LPA While I Am Travelling?

If you are planning to travel, whether within the UK or overseas, you may be wondering whether your Attorneys can use your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to manage your finances while you are away.

In many cases, the answer is yes, but only if your Property and Financial Affairs LPA was set up to allow your Attorneys to act before you lose mental capacity, and only with your consent.

However, there are important practical steps to take before you go.

When Can Attorneys Use a Financial LPA?

A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can be drafted in two ways:

• Use only if you lose mental capacity, or
• Use both before and after loss of capacity, with your permission

If your LPA includes the second option, your Attorneys may help with tasks such as:

• Paying bills
• Managing bank accounts
• Overseeing investments
• Handling unexpected financial issues at home

This can be extremely helpful if you are travelling for an extended period or will have limited access to your accounts.

Practical Steps Before You Travel

Even if your LPA allows early use, your Attorneys cannot simply start acting without preparation. Financial institutions require:

• Proof of identity for each Attorney
• Verification of the registered LPA
• Internal processing time (often several weeks)

You should contact each bank, building society, investment provider and NS&I well in advance of your trip. This ensures your Attorneys can act smoothly if needed and avoids delays while you are abroad.

After You Return Home

Once you are back, consider whether you still want your Attorneys to have active authority. If not, you will need to:

• Notify each financial institution
• Confirm that your Attorneys should no longer act on your behalf

Your LPA remains valid, but institutions will stop accepting instructions from your Attorneys unless you later reactivate the arrangement.

Is a General (Ordinary) Power of Attorney a Better Option?

For short‑term travel, a General Power of Attorney (GPA) can be a more practical and flexible alternative.

A GPA can be:

• Limited to specific tasks (e.g., selling a property, managing one account)
• Restricted to a set time period (up to 12 months)
• Used only while you still have mental capacity
• Prepared quickly, without the 12–16 week LPA registration process

This makes a GPA ideal if:

• You are travelling for a defined period
• You need someone to handle a specific transaction
• You do not want Attorneys to have ongoing access after your return
• You need urgent authority in place

A GPA can be revoked at any time and automatically ends if you lose mental capacity.

What About a Health and Welfare LPA?

A Health and Welfare LPA is different. Attorneys cannot use it unless you have lost mental capacity.

This means they cannot make decisions simply because you are abroad — only if you become seriously ill or injured and are unable to decide for yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my Attorney access my bank accounts while I’m abroad?

Yes, if your LPA allows early use and the bank has registered your Attorneys in advance.

How long does it take for banks to register an LPA?

It varies, but many institutions take several weeks. Early preparation is essential.

Is a General Power of Attorney safer for short trips?

Often yes, it can be limited to specific tasks and ends automatically if you lose capacity.

Can I cancel a General Power of Attorney?

Yes, you can revoke it at any time.

Do Attorneys under a Health and Welfare LPA have any authority while I’m travelling?

Not unless you lose mental capacity due to illness or an accident.

Need Advice Before You Travel?

If you are planning a trip and want to ensure your financial affairs are properly managed, our specialist Private Client Team can help you:

• Review your existing LPA
• Prepare a General Power of Attorney
• Notify financial institutions
• Put temporary arrangements in place

Contact our team based in Leicester and Market Harborough today for tailored advice and peace of mind before you travel. Contact Us

Written by Laura Brown, a Senior Associate Paralegal, checked by a qualified Solicitor and enhanced by AI