A-Z list of terms
Attorney - The person who is given authority by a power of attorney to act on behalf of the donor in financial or medical/health matters.
Carer - A person who has been appointed to care for another person in financial and health matters.
Continuing Power of Attorney (Scotland) - A legal document that allows a person (Granter) to appoint one or more people (Attorneys) to act on their behalf.
Controller (Northern Ireland) - Appointed by the Court to act on behalf of someone who no longer possesses capacity.
Court Order - A ruling issued by a court or a judge requiring a person to do or not do something.
Court of Protection - A court that makes decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions for themselves at the time they need to be made.
Deputy - A person appointed by the Court of Protection to act on behalf of another person who is unable to make decisions for themselves (England & Wales).
Donor - A person who is giving another person authority to act on their behalf in financial or medical and health matters.
Enduring Power of Attorney - A legal document that appoints one or more people (Attorneys) to act on behalf of the donor to manage their affairs. (Please note: Enduring Power of Attorneys in England and Wales were replaced by Lasting Power of Attorney in October 2007 and no longer available. Enduring Power of Attorney is a current method of Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland).
Estate - The property, assets and outstanding debts belonging to a person who has died.
General Power of Attorney - A Power of Attorney that gives a person very broad powers, generally to conduct all kinds of business on behalf of another person.
Granter (Scotland) - The person giving another person authority to act on their behalf in financial or medical and health matters (equivalent to Donor in England &Wales).
Guardian (Scotland) - A person appointed by a court to make decisions regarding the care of another person.
Guardianship (Scotland) - A legal proceeding to determine whether a person is legally incapable and should have a Guardian appointed to care for the person or the person's financial matters.
Guardianship Order (Scotland) - A court appointment which authorises a person(s) to act and make decisions for another person.
Health & Wealthfare Power of Attorney - A legal document giving a person the power to act on behalf of another person in medical and health matters.
Incapacitated or incapacity - The position of no longer having the ability to perform an action or an activity which may be due to a physical or mental condition.
Lasting Power of Attorney (England & Wales) - A legal document that appoints one or more people (Attorney) to act on behalf of another person.
Letter of Authority - Written confirmation from a person enabling the sharing of information with a named third party for a set period of time or for a defined purpose. (Please note: This is an informal mechanism and does not permit the appointee to make any transactions or alterations to any contract).
Office of Public Guardian - A government body which protects people in England and Wales who may not have the ability to make decisions for themselves.
Power(s) of Attorney - A document that gives one person (Attorney) authority to act on behalf of another person (Donor or Granter).
Property & Financial Power of Attorney - A Power of Attorney giving a person the power to act on behalf of another person in financial matters.
Solicitor - A legal professional
Solvent - Having enough to pay their financial commitment and debts.
Third Party Mandate/Agreement/Arrangement - A short term arrangement where a person appoints a third party to conduct stated activities on their behalf.