Power of Attorney

[crankedup5]

Not sure if this is correct forum, anyway sadly I need to get a Power of Attorney for both finance and health in respect of my wife. Any advise and what fees I should expect to pay. Thanks.

[deckster]

My sympathies for whatever the circumstance is that means you need to do this.

In terms of the practicalities, it is all very easy and if you have a few hours, some basic common sense, and an internet connection, you can do it all yourself. The online notes are very comprehensive and there is nothing difficult about it.

Presuming that your wife still has capacity you will need to find an independent person to explain to her what is happening and to certify that she understands what she is signing. That can be a friend or, if you prefer, a professional e.g. G.P. or solicitor. They would naturally charge for that. But for the rest of it, there really is no need to involve anybody else.

[Dashnine]

As above but as an indication I had a quote alongside a will being made under the free will scheme (so there may be some loading to compensate), the solicitor quoted £350 plus VAT for one PoA type (property & finance or welfare) or £500 plus VAT for both types.

[outnumbered]

No need to pay a solicitor unless you are doing something complicated. The website is really easy to use to do it yourself.

[crankedup5]

Thank you to all posters, I am grateful for the advise.

[The Leaper]

As others have said, it really is straightforward to do this yourself if there are no required complications. The standard form is large and may be off putting but not really difficult. There is a fee to pay when registering the PoA.

Wife and I did a PoA each last year using a solicitor, the fees were £720.00. I'd DIY next time!

R.

[toon10]

It's a bit of a pain to do but at those prices, best to do yourself. I did them for my mother when she was alive. Just note that although the forms look almost identical, they are separate (and have separate costs) if you want one for both finances and welfare.

LPA for Property and Financial Affairs
LPA for Health and Welfare

[Big_Dan]

We've completed them for our parents

It's a usual government form ...

One set of parents used a service as part of their Which? subscription

From memory it's a few months to get it agreed - not sure if the solicitor route is faster if required?

[crankedup5]

Again I thank you all for the advise offered. I will be having a look at the DIY route.

[Mr-B]

You can DIY it but your wife MUST have capacity, if she doesn't it is a different process and you need to apply to be a deputy to the court of protection.

[alscar]

Very sorry to hear that - I’ve done it for my Aunt through a solicitor which was obviously much more expensive than DIY but circumstances dictated it was easier for me - this was during Covid lockdowns.
I also didn’t have to worry about any errors.
I don’t believe any quicker than DIY though.

[loftylad]

I did it myself for my dad a couple of years ago.

The forms are tedious, but if you take your time and go through them methodically you will be fine.

I did both the health and wealth LPA’s and they are now £82 each.