Farming isn’t just a business—it’s a legacy built over generations.
But what happens if illness or injury prevents you from making decisions? Even a short period of incapacity can halt operations, disrupt cash flow, or put your hard-earned Agricultural Property Relief (APR) at risk.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for Property and Financial Affairs lets a trusted person step in to manage financial and business matters, keeping your farm running smoothly. They can pay suppliers and staff, manage bank accounts, renew tenancies, and ensure your agricultural land stays in qualifying use.
Why this matters:
APR depends on land being actively farmed and properly used. Delays or inactivity could jeopardise relief, especially with upcoming changes to APR from April 2026, which will cap full relief at £1 million of qualifying assets.
LPAs are a simple, practical safeguard for both business continuity and succession planning—but they cannot substitute for proper agricultural use.
Creating separate LPAs for personal finances and business affairs allows powers to be tailored to your farm’s unique needs.
Next steps:
Protect your farm, your livelihood, and your legacy.
Speak to our Private Client team today for practical advice on setting up LPAs and safeguarding APR, and ensure your farm remains in trusted hands if you ever can’t make decisions yourself.
You can call us or contact us online or visit us at any of our offices in Blandford, Bournemouth, Crewkerne, Dorchester, Poole, Swanage, and Wareham.
