If someone needs to deal with your affairs on your behalf because you are unable to they will have to apply to the Office of the Public Guardian to be appointed as your Receiver.  However you can make provision in advance as to whom you would wish to deal with your affairs should you be unable to. 

It is possible to make a Lasting Power of Attorney appointing someone to act on your behalf if you are unable to (your Attorney).  You can make two types of Lasting Power of Attorney – a Property and Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney and a Personal Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney. 

Advantages of making a Lasting Power of Attorney

• you choose who will look after your affairs should you be unable to
• you can appoint more than one person to act as your Attorney
• you decide whether your Attorneys are to act together or independently
• you can place any restrictions you wish on the Lasting Power of Attorney
• you decide what assets your Attorneys can and can’t deal with
• you can give guidance to your Attorneys in the Lasting Power of Attorney how your assets are to be dealt with
• you decide who will be notified before the Lasting Power of Attorney is registered (it can only be used once it is registered)
• a Personal Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney lets you decide who should make decisions about treatment you may be given including whether to refuse or consent to treatment