You won’t have the right to make decisions on your child’s behalf once he or she reaches the age of 18. 
 
If you are the parent of a child with a condition such as Asperger’s or Autism, for example, you will certainly be proud of all the things they can manage for themselves when they become an adult. However, there will probably also be things that they find very challenging, such as dealing with money or talking to medical professionals. 
To make sure that they have someone they trust to help them, you can arrange Lasting Powers of Attorney
 
Your son or daughter can then give you or other friends and relatives authority to look after their finances and care. They will need to have the mental capacity to make this decision, so it’s important to confirm this with your doctor. 
 
An attorney must act in the person’s best interests and consider their wishes and choices as much as possible. That’s why the people chosen to be Attorneys should know your child well and understand their wishes. As parents you can be Attorneys or your child might choose someone closer to their own age such as a brother or sister, although they must be over 18. 
 
Attorneys must also keep the person’s money in a separate account and keep records of how their money is being used. 
 
Once everyone has agreed your child’s LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before they can be used. 
 
If you would like to find out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney for your child please get in touch
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