I used to work with a firm of solicitors where the senior partner said that everyone over the age of 55 should have a Power of Attorney. I strongly disagreed (probably why I’m not working there anymore!).

My belief is that you are never too young to have a POA in place.

And here’s an example why.

I hadn’t heard from an old friend of mine, Steve (not his real name), for a while. So, as usual, I e-mailed him to see how he was getting on.

I was shocked to hear he had had a stroke – and he was only 50. 

This isn’t the youngest by any manner of means of someone having a stroke or being struck down by a serious illness. It is not uncommon to hear of someone in their 30’s being affected.

Many people put of putting the appropriate estate planning in place because they are too young or it won’t happen to them. But you’re never too young and, yes, it could happen to you.

If you leave it until you need it, then it could be too late. So don’t put off getting your planning in place until tomorrow. There’s no time like the present.