If someone close to you can’t manage their own money anymore, there are ways you can help — even if they didn’t make plans ahead of time.
If the person still has the ability to make their own decisions, they can ask them to give you power of attorney. If plans have not been put in place, the you might be able to take on responsibility for their finances by becoming an appointee or a deputy.
Power of Attorney
If someone can still make their own decisions, they can choose to give someone else legal permission to manage things for them. This is called power of attorney.
It means you can help with things like:
- paying bills
- managing savings or income
- making care or health decisions (if agreed in advance)
Power of attorney must be set up while the person still has mental capacity — that means they understand what they are doing.
You can find out more about how to set up power of attorney on the Age UK website.
Someone who can’t make decisions anymore
Sometimes, a person loses the ability to make choices for themselves.
This can happen due to:
- dementia
- a learning disability
- a stroke or brain injury
- a mental health condition
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is a law that helps protect people in this situation.
It explains:
- who can make decisions for someone who can’t
- what kinds of decisions can be made
- how to make sure those decisions are in the person’s best interests.
People can also plan ahead by setting up power of attorney before they lose mental capacity. For more advice, visit the Citizens Advice website.
Becoming an Appointee
If the person only receives benefits and doesn’t have much in savings or other income, you may be able to become an appointee through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
An appointee can:
- manage the person’s benefits
- pay bills and basic living costs
- handle a small amount of savings
You can learn more about appointeeship and how to apply on the GOV.UK website.
Becoming a Deputy
If the person has more complex finances — like savings, property, or a pension — becoming a deputy might be a better option. A deputy is legally responsible for managing all of the person’s financial matters.
This can include:
- Savings and bank accounts
- Benefits and pensions
- Property or investments
You’ll need to apply through the Court of Protection. If you’re approved, you’ll get a legal document that explains what you can and can’t do.
Find out more about how to apply to become a deputy on the GOV.UK website.