Power of Attorney (POA)

We're here for you

There's plenty of support available to help you support the person you are caring for including guidance on how to deal with the financial and practical matters that will inevitably need to be addressed after someone that may need additional support looking after their financial affairs.

Call us - we're here to help

The comprehensive range of resources we have brought together here provides a source of practical advice and information that can help you get back on track. But don't forget that we can help too. If you're facing difficulties paying your mortgage don't wait until it's too late - call us and we will work with you to sort things out, including putting practical arrangements in place that will prevent matters getting worse.

Call us on 0330 159 6612*, 8.30am – 6pm Monday – Friday

What is a power of attorney?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows a donor to put someone they trust in charge of any important decisions. They can name just one person or choose several people to act on their behalf. Anyone named in the document becomes an 'attorney'.

They can put a power of attorney in place on a temporary or long-term basis. For example, if they're in hospital and need help managing their household bills, or if they've been diagnosed with an illness that means they won't be able to make their own decisions.

To create a power of attorney, the donor needs to have the mental ability to make financial, property and medical decisions for themselves. The power of attorney is usually created by a solicitor or through the government website.

Find out more about creating a power of attorney on the GOV.UK website for England and Wales, or for Scotland the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).

What can a power of attorney do?

An attorney can help make decisions about the donor's finances and act on their behalf.

The donor can appoint one person as a sole attorney, or several people either jointly or severally. With joint power of attorney, all attorneys need to act together. This means any services which would allow just one attorney to access the account by themselves cannot be provided. Joint attorneys can access the donor's account by contacting us together.

If the power of attorney document contains restrictions, we need to comply with them. This might mean that we cannot provide certain services.

Our process

In the first instance we recommend you speak to us by calling our team on 0330 159 6612*, 8.30am – 6pm Monday – Friday and we will explain what you need to do next.

Writing to us

Alternatively you may prefer to write to us, if so please see below for further information about what you will need to send us and where to send the information to.

    You will need to send us:
  • The full name of the customer and mortgage account number, if known.
  • Your full name, address and contact number.
  • The full name and address of the personal Power of Attorney (if different from above).
  • The original documentation registering the POA.

You will need to send the above to:
Whistletree
PO Box 116
Skipton
BD23 9FF

All original documents will be returned to you via recorded delivery.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to us please ring 0330 159 6612*, 8.30am – 6pm Monday – Friday.

There is a wealth of online advice and support available that can assist with all kinds of life, finance and health problems - if you know where to look for it. So we’ve brought together these resources to help you find this information.

Helpful tools

There are a number of online tools available that can provide you with information and guidance if you need help with your finances. Click on the links below to get started. Asking for information or guidance will not impact your credit file and can be the first step to finding a better solution.