Why does Martin Lewis say a Power of Attorney can be more important than a Will?
When Martin Lewis talks about Estate Planning and the future people tend to listen. One of the things he often says surprises many – that a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can be more important than a Will.
Wills are something most people recognise as essential, a Will protects what happens after you’ve passed away. A Lasting Power of Attorney covers you until you die.
What does a Lasting Power of Attorney actually do?
An LPA allows you to appoint someone you trust to step in and make decisions on your behalf if you’re ever unable to do so yourself — whether through illness, an accident, or loss of mental capacity.
There are two types of LPA’s, one for Property and Finance and one for making decisions about your Health and Welfare.
What happens if nothing is in place?
Many people assume their partner or a family member can automatically step in. Without an LPA, your loved ones may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which can be slow, costly and stressful.
The delay can create real difficulties — from paying bills to making urgent care decisions.
A Will is still essential
While LPAs are incredibly important, a Will remains just as vital — it simply does a different job, it deals with your estate after death.
A properly drafted Will ensures:
- Your estate goes to the people you choose
- You can appoint guardians for children
- You can reduce uncertainty, disputes, and stress for your family
- Your wishes are clearly set out and legally recognised
Without a Will, the law decides who inherits your estate — which may not reflect what you would have wanted.
It’s not just something for later in life
Another key message from Martin Lewis is that LPAs aren’t just for older people. Loss of capacity can happen at any age — through illness, injury or unexpected events.
In the same way, many people delay making a Will until “later”, but putting things in place early gives you control and avoids pressure at difficult times.
The takeaway
The simplest way to think about it is this:
- A Will looks after your wishes after death
- A Lasting Power of Attorney looks after you during your lifetime if something goes wrong
Most people need both.
How we can help
At Gwyn James, we know these aren’t always easy conversations to start — but getting things in place early can make a real difference for you and the people around you.
If you’d like to talk through your options, whether that’s a Will, a Lasting Power of Attorney, or both, our team is here to help in a clear and straightforward way.
