We’ll see you through
We’ll see you through
Wills, Probate & Lasting Powers of Attorney
Last updated: February 3, 2026
Protecting your company when the unexpected happens
In today’s fast-moving and unpredictable business world, it’s important for every owner to think about what might happen if they were suddenly unable to make key decisions. A business can quickly run into challenges if its main decision-maker is unavailable due to illness, absence, or incapacity. Without clear legal authority in place, this could lead to delays, financial strain and uncertainty for the team.
At Bridger’s Law’s, our Private Client team recently supported a Managing Director who experienced exactly this scenario.
Whilst abroad, he suffered a serious injury that left him temporarily hospitalised – and so he contacted Bridger’s Law for a Business LPA to ensure that trusted members of the management team could step in if he later became unavailable.
This real-life case, dealt with by our Private Client team, highlights how vulnerable even successful businesses can be without a Business LPA in place. The experience prompted immediate action to ensure future protection, both for his company and his employees.
It protected his company’s continuity and really shows why every business should consider having a Business LPA.
Our team responded swiftly and strategically to protect the Managing Director’s personal and business interests, ensuring the company could operate seamlessly in the absence of its key decision-maker.
What is a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
A Business LPA is a legal document that allows you to appoint trusted individuals (attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so due to illness, absence, or incapacity. It ensures that key financial and operational decisions can still be made, keeping your business running smoothly in your absence.
The authority of a Business LPA ceases automatically when the business owner dies. The attorney’s powers cease and the responsibility for the business transfers to the executors of the will or administrators of the estate. It’s only a document for the living.
Why a Business LPA matters for Company Directors
In the example highlighted earlier, the company did not have a Business LPA in place.
Luckily, the Managing Director was in a position where he still had capacity to contact us to urgently arrange one, but had this not been the case, his team would have struggled to maintain normal operations without his input and authority.
It’s best to have an LPA in place before an emergency occurs. Whilst we can respond quickly, planning ahead provides peace of mind. No one expects to need a Business LPA – but when the unexpected happens, it makes all the difference
Our instructions and approach
In this case, Bridgers Law was instructed to prepare two bespoke Lasting Power of Attorney:
This separation ensured clarity, with each document addressing the specific decisions that would be needed in the event of lack of capacity.
Challenges in drafting a Business LPA
Drafting a Business Lasting Power of Attorney requires precision and careful planning. One of the main challenges is ensuring a clear distinction between personal and business affairs by appointing different attorneys for each, avoiding any conflict of interest. The wording must also be tailored to include clear preferences and instructions so the business can continue to operate smoothly and maintain the ethos of the business. Our team is expert in ensuring this clarity.
It’s equally important to remove any ambiguity about who can make which decisions and under what circumstances. By addressing these points from the outset, we were able to create a Business LPA that offered both legal protection and practical continuity for the client’s company.
How Bridger’s Law overcame the challenges
By listening closely to our client’s personal and professional needs, our team tailored each document to reflect his wishes and protect his company’s interests.
We identified areas requiring precise language to avoid overlap between personal and business authority.
We also ensured that each appointed attorney fully understood their role before signing, by explaining their responsibilities and the scope of their authority.
Our team delivered a rapid response to meet the client’s immediate needs.
Client concerns and our solutions
The Managing Director’s main concern was ensuring that his personal and professional affairs remained separate and unambiguous.
We addressed this by:
This proactive approach gave our client confidence that his business would remain protected and that his wishes would be respected.
A statement from the business owner’s
Duane Bridger – “Lying in hospital sedated on medication, trying to deal with the day-to-day management of a business was a nightmare. Instead of recovering, I was on the phone dealing with things that only I could deal with.
“Now that a Business LPA is in place, should I be unfortunate enough to find myself in the same position, abroad and hospitalised, business is able to continue as normal.
We always think it will never happen to us until it does.”
Jodi Bridger – “As the owner of a business, I understand the importance of planning for the unexpected, but it wasn’t until my husband had a serious accident that I truly appreciated how vulnerable a business can be when its key decision-maker is suddenly unavailable.
During his recovery, we realised that without a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), critical decisions could easily have been delayed and our team left without clear authority. That experience prompted us to work with Clemens and Alanna to develop a bespoke Business LPA – tailored to the unique structure and needs of our business. We are now confident that if either of us are ever unable to act, someone we trust can step in seamlessly. Today, we have peace of mind knowing our firm is protected – and I want the same for every business owner I know!”
Conclusion: Protecting Your Business with a Lasting Power of Attorney
This case demonstrates how a Business Lasting Power of Attorney can be a vital part of business continuity planning.
Without it, even temporary incapacity can jeopardise your company’s operations.
At Bridger’s Law, our Wills and Probate team specialises in helping business owners create tailored LPAs that ensure decision-making clarity and continuity.
Learn more and take the next step
To explore related topics, read our helpful guides:
If you would like to discuss setting up your Business LPA, contact Bridgers Law’s Private Client team today for expert, personalised advice.
Protect your company, your team, and your legacy – before the unexpected happens.
