What happens to your business if you are incapacitated?
Sponsored feature | By Jennifer Barker, Woodfines Solicitors
It is important for business owners to consider what would come of their business if they become incapacitated by an illness or injury.
What is a lasting power of attorney?
There are two types of lasting power of attorney (LPA); one relating to your property and finances, and one relating to your health and welfare.
An LPA is a document that gives an appointed person the ability to make important decisions on your behalf. This person (known as an ‘attorney’) will have the ability to make decisions as if they were you.
Who needs an LPA?
If no attorney is put in place then potentially important day-to-day decisions that keep your business running can not be made; for example, payment of employees and suppliers or signing new contracts. The implications for not having a contingency in place could be catastrophic for your business. Bank accounts can be frozen by the bank, even if the account is in joint names.
Small businesses, partnerships and sole traders are most likely to require a LPA for their business decisions. If you become incapacitated, you should not assume that family members or business partners will automatically be able to make important decisions on your behalf.
What if you don’t make an LPA?
If no attorney has been appointed then it is possible to make an application to the Court of Protection and a deputy can be appointed. However, this process is significantly longer (it can take over six months) and can cost a lot more than putting a LPA in place ahead of time.
Hopefully a LPA is never required, but the cost of putting one in place is a small price to ensure that your business can successfully continue. These issues can affect the young and healthy, so all business owners should ensure they have an effective continuity plan.
To discuss putting a LPA in place, or for assistance in reviewing your articles of association or partnership agreement, please contact Jennifer Barker at Woodfines Solicitors on 01223 411421 or email: jbarker@woodfines.co.uk
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