Single Mum of Two: Why I Made an LPA at 38
Single Mum of Two: Why I Made an LPA at 38
*This is based on real experiences shared with us. Names and some details have been changed to protect privacy.*
"You're Too Young for That"
When Lisa mentioned to friends that she'd made Lasting Powers of Attorney, the reaction was confusion.
"They said, 'You're 38. You're too young for that.' 'That's for old people.' 'Why are you being so morbid?'"
Lisa is a single mother. Her daughter Mia is 10, her son Josh is 7. She works as a marketing manager, owns her home, and manages everything herself. She's been on her own since her divorce four years ago.
"I'm not being morbid. I'm being realistic. I'm the only adult in my household. If something happens to me, there's no partner to pick up the pieces. My kids have nobody else."
What Changed Her Mind
Lisa's wake-up call came from watching her sister's family struggle.
"My brother-in-law had a mountain biking accident. He was 42, fit, healthy. He hit a tree and had a serious brain injury. He's okay now, thankfully, but he was in hospital for weeks."
During that time, Lisa watched her sister Sarah deal with the chaos:
- She couldn't access his bank accounts
- His business was paralyzed—he was self-employed
- She had no legal authority to make decisions about his care
- The kids' lives were thrown into turmoil
The Single Parent Reality
When you're a single parent:
- There's no second income if you can't work
- There's no second adult to handle admin
- There's no automatic backup
- Your children depend entirely on you
Planning for the Unthinkable
Lisa sat down and thought through what would happen if she had a serious accident tomorrow:
Finances:
- Mortgage: Would go unpaid
- Bills: Would bounce
- Her salary: Would need claiming through HR processes
- Her savings: Locked, inaccessible
- Treatment decisions: Doctors would decide alone
- Her wishes: Unknown, unrecorded
- Her children's access: At the hospital's discretion
- Immediate care: Her parents (who live nearby)
- Longer-term: Uncertain
- Financial support: Tied up in inaccessible accounts
Making the LPAs
Lisa used myLPA to create both types of Lasting Power of Attorney.
"It took me maybe 20 minutes. I appointed my mum as my attorney, with my dad as backup. I thought carefully about what powers to give and what guidance to include."
For Property & Financial Affairs:
- Mum can access all accounts
- Pay mortgage and bills
- Manage her house if needed
- Handle work admin
- Mum makes medical decisions
- Including decisions about life-sustaining treatment
- With guidance about Lisa's values and wishes
The Conversation with Her Mum
Lisa had to have an honest conversation with her mum about what she was asking.
"I said, 'Mum, if I'm ever incapacitated, I need you to be able to help. I need you to pay my mortgage so the kids don't lose their home. I need you to make medical decisions on my behalf. I need you to have authority.'"
Her mum cried. Then signed as attorney.
"She said she'd never thought about it from that angle. She always assumed she'd help if something happened—but she'd never considered that she might not legally be able to."
What About the Kids' Dad?
Lisa's ex-husband has regular contact with the children. But Lisa was clear about her LPA:
"I didn't appoint him. We co-parent well, but I don't want him managing my finances or making my medical decisions. The kids would go to him if I died—that's what the Will says. But if I'm alive but incapacitated, I want my mum in charge of my affairs, and I want the kids cared for by my parents until I recover."
This is an important distinction:
- Will: Determines what happens if you die (custody, inheritance)
- LPA: Determines what happens if you're incapacitated but alive
A Message to Single Parents
"I know we're busy. I know we're stretched. I know one more admin task feels impossible.
But think about what happens if you can't function tomorrow:
- Who pays your rent or mortgage?
- Who deals with your employer?
- Who accesses your bank?
- Who decides about your medical care?
- Who looks after your kids while all this is being sorted out?
The Practical Reality
Making LPAs cost Lisa:
- Single LPA: £74
- Both LPAs: £140
- Registration: £164 total
- Time: One evening after the kids were in bed
As a single parent, that's worth everything."
It's Not About Expecting the Worst
"People think making an LPA is morbid. It's not. It's responsible.
I also have car insurance. Doesn't mean I expect to crash. I have home insurance. Doesn't mean I expect a fire.
An LPA is life insurance for your capacity. You hope never to use it. But if you need it, you really need it."
Lisa's Checklist for Single Parents
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Why Single Parents Need LPAs More
| Situation | Partnered Parent | Single Parent |
| Second income if incapacitated | Yes | No |
| Second adult for admin | Yes | No |
| Automatic backup person | Yes | No |
| Clarity for children | Partner steps in | Who steps in? |
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Protecting Yourself and Your Children
Your children depend on you completely. Make sure someone can step in to help if you can't.
Ready to Create Your LPA?
Don't wait until it's too late. Get both types of Lasting Power of Attorney from just £140 with expert guidance included.
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