An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) is the old, simpler form of Power of Attorney. Whilst you can no longer make a ‘new’ Enduring Power of Attorney, any made before the change to Lasting Powers of Attorney are still valid.

Unlike Lasting Powers of Attorney, EPA’s did not need to be registered in order to be valid. These forms of Enduring Power of Attorney can be used at any time once signed, and only need registering once the person who has granted the power ‘is becoming or has become mentally incapable’ i.e. they only actually need registering once the person is too unwell to manage their affairs themselves.

Whilst many people preferred the Enduring Power of Attorney regime, rather than the current Lasting Power of Attorney route, the old system was rather open to abuse.