The first annual report of the office of the Public Guardian shows more people are making powers of attorney – setting out what should happen to their financial and health matters should they lose mental capacity – than ever before.

Nearly three times more people have applied to register Lasting Power of Attorneys than in previous years.

LPAs were introduced by the Mental Capacity Act 2005. From the 1st October 2007 they allow individuals to appoint Attorneys to look after their property and financial affairs (a Property and Affairs LPA) and also make health and personal welfare decisions (a Personal Welfare LPA) when they lack the capacity to make these decisions themselves in the future. The Attorney(s) can only use the LPA after it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.