A power of attorney lets someone act on your behalf. In England and Wales an ordinary (general) power of attorney is quick to set up – but it only works while you still have mental capacity, and that is the key thing to understand.
✓ Covered by the Tamgara template
This is an ordinary power of attorney
An ordinary power of attorney lets an attorney act for you on financial or specific matters – useful for a fixed period or a single task (for example while you are abroad, or to deal with one transaction).
ℹ️ Good to know
It stops working if you lose mental capacity
An ordinary power of attorney is automatically revoked if you lose the mental capacity to make your own decisions. It cannot be used to manage your affairs after that point.
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For decisions after loss of capacity you need a registered LPA
To let someone act for you if you lose capacity, you need a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used (a fee applies and registration takes several weeks) – a plain template cannot replace that process.
✓ Covered by the Tamgara template
Define the scope and any limits clearly
State exactly what the attorney may do, for how long, and any limits. A narrow, specific authority is safer than a broad one and is more readily accepted by banks and third parties.
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Third parties may ask for their own form
Banks, the Land Registry and some institutions may require their own wording or proof of identity. Check what the specific third party accepts before you rely on the document.
✅ All there – and checked by hand: our template covers the points listed above. Editorially reviewed (as of July 2026). You can of course use your own template too – filling in and signing work with any PDF. Not a substitute for legal advice.
✨ Coming soon: upload your own template and let our AI check whether everything important is included.