What is an enduring power of attorney (EPA)?
An enduring power of attorney is the predecessor to the property and financial affairs LPA. No new EPAs could be made after 30 September 2007, but those signed before then remain valid and must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian once the donor's capacity begins to fail.
An EPA covers finances and property only. It has no application to health or welfare decisions, which is one reason people who hold one still often need an LPA.
Unlike an LPA, an EPA can be used unregistered while the donor has capacity. The attorney has a positive duty to apply for registration as soon as they believe the donor is losing capacity, and notice must be given to the donor and to specified relatives.
They are still in circulation and still valid, so it is always worth checking whether an older client or family member has one before assuming nothing is in place.