Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

This page contains a summary of some of the information you can find in this section on how to create, register or object to the registration of and revoke (cancel) a power of attorney in Northern Ireland.

Create a power of attorney

There are different types of powers of attorney (PoA). Which one you choose will depend on what you want to use it for.

The section 'Create a power of attorney' discusses such topics as:

  • Why a power of attorney is useful
  • Choosing a power of attorney
  • The 'Enduring power of attorney'
  • The 'General power of attorney'

Register a power of attorney

An 'Enduring power of attorney' (EPA) will either become effective immediately, or only after it is registered, depending on how you set up the EPA. Either way, an EPA needs to be registered when the donor becomes mentally incapable of managing their own affairs for it to remain effective.

See the section, 'Register a power of attorney' for the steps you need to take when registering an Enduring power of attorney.

The general power of attorney is effective as soon as it is signed, but it automatically loses its effectiveness when the person (the 'donor') who made it, becomes mentally incapable of managing their own affairs. It can't be registered and therefore can't be used once you've lost mental capacity.

Object to registration

There may be situations where you wish to object to the registration of a PoA.

The section 'Objecting to registration' sets out what you need to do to object to the registration of an enduring power of attorney.

Revoke a power of attorney

When a PoA is revoked (cancelled) it becomes invalid and the authority of the attorney(s) appointed to act on the donor's behalf ends.

If you have created a PoA that you wish to revoke, you will find more information in the article How to revoke a power of attorney.

Power of attorney FAQs

Some of the most frequently asked questions relating to PoAs are set out in a 'Frequently Asked Questions' (FAQs) section. Answers to the following questions may be found there:

1. What is a power of attorney?

2. Do I need an enduring power of attorney?

3. What can I do as a carer?

4. What is the Office of Care and Protection?

5. What is the Official Solicitor?

6. What is a controller?

This section contains information on powers of attorney in Northern Ireland. For information on other UK jurisdictions, read our articles on England & Wales or Scotland, as appropriate.

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