Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows you, the person giving the power (legally called the Donor), to give permission for someone else (the Attorney) to act for you under certain circumstances.

A Power of Attorney allows you to document your wishes in relation to your property and financial affairs, as well as your health and welfare, in the event that you become unable to make decisions because of your age, an accident or an illness such as dementia. We can help you to understand how a Power of Attorney could work for you or a member of your family.

Talk to us

Our experienced colleagues can help you to understand how a Power of Attorney works, or help you to register one on a Skipton account if you’re already an Attorney for a Skipton customer.

Call us

0345 850 1722

In branch

Branch Finder

In summary

There are a number of different types of Powers of Attorney, which differ depending on whether you live in England and Wales or Scotland. In England and Wales you can have a Lasting Power of Attorney or a General Power of Attorney. In Scotland it’s either a Continuing Power of Attorney or a Welfare Power of Attorney. We don’t currently offer this service in Northern Ireland. Expand the boxes below for a description of each.

Important points to consider

  • You can only make a Power of Attorney while you have the mental capacity to do so
  • You choose the people you want to make decisions on your behalf, and indicate how you want them to be made
  • Attorneys can make decisions for you when you no longer wish to do so or, if you choose a Lasting (England & Wales) or Continuing (Scotland) power, when you lack the mental capacity to do so
  • If you become mentally incapacitated without a Power of Attorney in place, your family or friends would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a court order (England & Wales) or to the Court for a Guardianship order (Scotland), which is a lengthy and expensive process and must be completed before anyone can deal with your affairs
  • Documents differ between England & Wales and Scotland. Please see the relevant section above.

See our Legacy jargon buster to find out what some of the definitions mean.

How to set up a Power of Attorney

By making a Power of Attorney you can ensure a friend, relative or professional who you trust is empowered to make key decisions for you, in the way that you would want. Our experienced colleagues can help you to understand how a Power of Attorney works.

To set up a Power of Attorney, get in touch in branch or by phone. We can talk you through the process, answer any questions you might have and arrange an appointment through our referral service.

Your Power of Attorney will be advised and put in place by our trusted partner Redstone Wills Limited, a subsidiary company of Skipton Building Society

Are you already an Attorney to a Skipton customer?

To register a POA on a customer’s accounts we will require:

  • The original Power of Attorney (POA) document or solicitor certified copy of the POA document, if applicable, stamped by the Office of Public Guardian (OPG).
  • The following documents need to be stamped by the OPG before we can register you as an attorney for a Skipton customer:
    • Enduring POA if the customer does not have mental capacity
    • Lasting POA whether or not the customer has mental capacity
    • Scottish Continuing Power of Attorney, whether or not the customer or combined has mental capacity.
  • A completed Account Registration Form.
  • Identification if you or any other attorney to be registered is not an existing Skipton customer. This will be two pieces of identification if you visit a branch or three pieces if registering by post. Please see our proving your identity leaflet for acceptable forms of ID.

Talk to us

Our experienced colleagues can help you to understand how a Power of Attorney works, or help you to register one on a Skipton account if you’re already an Attorney for a Skipton customer.

Call us

0345 850 1722

In branch

Branch Finder

Skipton Will & POA Writing Service is administered and provided by Redstone Wills Limited, Windmill Road, St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex, TN38 9BY. Company no. 3673190. Skipton Building Society and Redstone Wills Limited are both members of The Society Of Will Writers and they both abide by their Code of Practice, copies of which can be found on the Society of Will Writers website or by writing to them at Chancery House, Whisby Way, Lincoln, LN6 3LQ. Please note that the Wills and POA Writing Services are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

*To help maintain service and quality, some telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.

Site intended for UK residents only. Skipton Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, under registration number 153706, for accepting deposits, advising on and arranging mortgages and providing Restricted financial advice. Principal Office, The Bailey, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1DN.

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