Discussion
hi , sorry but I am finding the POA stuff very complicated.
We have had the paperwork completed by our local Solicitors. The POA documents are stashed in the safe, do we need to do anything else with these documents??
We do not need to activate it as yet as she still has capacity ( just ) do they need registering somewhere ???
thanks guys
We have had the paperwork completed by our local Solicitors. The POA documents are stashed in the safe, do we need to do anything else with these documents??
We do not need to activate it as yet as she still has capacity ( just ) do they need registering somewhere ???
thanks guys
If they have both ( Finance and Heath separately ) been issued already by the OPG then as long as you keep the originals safe ( the ones with the embossed references ) then nothing else needed.
They are there for when you do need to use them.
When you get nearer needing to use them might be an idea to get a few copies of each certified.
They are there for when you do need to use them.
When you get nearer needing to use them might be an idea to get a few copies of each certified.
I had LPAs set up for my dad before he passed away. It was a couple of years ago but I think once we had received the paperwork we both signed up to the online service.
https://www.gov.uk/manage-lasting-power-attorney/u...
I don't think it's essential but I believe it makes things easier and quicker as you can send access codes to organisations without having to show them the paper documents. I also remember that you need to sign in at least once every 6 months or you have to start over.
His illness progressed very quickly but he kept his marbles until the end so I never actually needed to use it.
https://www.gov.uk/manage-lasting-power-attorney/u...
I don't think it's essential but I believe it makes things easier and quicker as you can send access codes to organisations without having to show them the paper documents. I also remember that you need to sign in at least once every 6 months or you have to start over.
His illness progressed very quickly but he kept his marbles until the end so I never actually needed to use it.
ChrisH72 said:
I had LPAs set up for my dad before he passed away. It was a couple of years ago but I think once we had received the paperwork we both signed up to the online service.
https://www.gov.uk/manage-lasting-power-attorney/u...
I don't think it's essential but I believe it makes things easier and quicker as you can send access codes to organisations without having to show them the paper documents. I also remember that you need to sign in at least once every 6 months or you have to start over.
Yes the one Gov online access service is definitely worth signing up to although just also remember that each then supplied access code only lasts for something odd like 50 days ?https://www.gov.uk/manage-lasting-power-attorney/u...
I don't think it's essential but I believe it makes things easier and quicker as you can send access codes to organisations without having to show them the paper documents. I also remember that you need to sign in at least once every 6 months or you have to start over.
I think you only have to access at least once a year to keep the account live though.
Some FI's don't seem to always like using the access code retrieval method though and still want to see sight of physical copy.
I will be doing this soon for my Mother-In-Law (both financial and health). I think the most crucial thing is to make sure it’s registered correctly as part of the application process. In theory, should you not wish to apply for it yourself any competent solicitor should be able to, for a small fee of course. Otherwise very good advice here from the usual knowledgable posters. The more you can do now, the easier it will be when you actually need to use it. So it’s definitely worth getting certified copies and sending them to the relevant institutions. Good luck. Hope it all goes well. BRM.
Wife and I completed our financial LPAs 8 years ago, and we are nearing completion of the health LPAs shortly, should be this week. We have used our usual firm of solicitors. Although our LPAs are straightforward, it has taken a while to get done due to the time taken by the OPG. We started this procedure 13 March 2026. We will be getting copies; we've asked the solicitors to keep the originals. We will also take a note of the OPG's reference numbers for each LPA.
Solicitors' fees are as follows:
• £900 plus VAT (£1,080) – fee for two LPAs (health)
• £184 – Office of the Public Guardian’s registration fee (£92 per document)
• £40 plus VAT (£48) – identity verification charges (£24 each)
R.
Solicitors' fees are as follows:
• £900 plus VAT (£1,080) – fee for two LPAs (health)
• £184 – Office of the Public Guardian’s registration fee (£92 per document)
• £40 plus VAT (£48) – identity verification charges (£24 each)
R.
Thanks all for the replies..
Just to make myself clearer ( my fault ) we have POA for health and finance. This was completed by our solicitors..
A colleague at work happened to mention that the POA documents now need registering on the office of public guardian website ?? ( or is this just when she loses capacity?)
Or will this have been done as part of the solicitors work in all this ??
thanks again all .
Just to make myself clearer ( my fault ) we have POA for health and finance. This was completed by our solicitors..
A colleague at work happened to mention that the POA documents now need registering on the office of public guardian website ?? ( or is this just when she loses capacity?)
Or will this have been done as part of the solicitors work in all this ??
thanks again all .
Chris340gti said:
Thanks all for the replies..
Just to make myself clearer ( my fault ) we have POA for health and finance. This was completed by our solicitors..
A colleague at work happened to mention that the POA documents now need registering on the office of public guardian website ?? ( or is this just when she loses capacity?)
Or will this have been done as part of the solicitors work in all this ??
thanks again all .
I've just done both LPAs for my mum. Filled in the forms and got them all signed by everyone required and then posted them off to the OPG, as they have to be registered there before they can be used. It takes quite a long time for the OPG to actually get around to it, i think around 6 months backlog at the moment but it could be longer.Just to make myself clearer ( my fault ) we have POA for health and finance. This was completed by our solicitors..
A colleague at work happened to mention that the POA documents now need registering on the office of public guardian website ?? ( or is this just when she loses capacity?)
Or will this have been done as part of the solicitors work in all this ??
thanks again all .
You'll need to check whether you paid paid the fees (£92 per form) to have them register with OPG. I'd expect the solicitor would list this on the invoice separately.
My understanding that when a LPA is setup then either it can be used as soon as it is registered or used only when mental capacity is lost.
Using the only when mental capacity is lost option may seem like a good halfway house to help the confidence of the donor who might be afraid about losing control of their affairs.
I don't think that it is a good idea to take the used only when mental capacity is lost option because it might take some time when time is critical to get the LPA updated with a medical professional to confirm lack capacity.
The used only when mental capacity is lost option also stops the attorney doing things to usefully assist the doner before the lack of capacity occurs.
Using the only when mental capacity is lost option may seem like a good halfway house to help the confidence of the donor who might be afraid about losing control of their affairs.
I don't think that it is a good idea to take the used only when mental capacity is lost option because it might take some time when time is critical to get the LPA updated with a medical professional to confirm lack capacity.
The used only when mental capacity is lost option also stops the attorney doing things to usefully assist the doner before the lack of capacity occurs.
Doing these online is no so easy, you pay upfront and then the registered OPG 'eventually' drops through the post after they've done checks with the certificate provider etc.
Don't forget the discounts available:
Fee Reductions and Exemptions:
While there are no bulk or couple discounts from the OPG, you may be eligible for financial assistance if the person making the application (the donor) is on a low income or receives certain benefits:
50% Discount: If the donor earns less than £12,000 per year before tax.
Full Exemption (£0): If the donor receives means-tested benefits (e.g., Income Support, Guarantee Credit).
To apply, you must complete form LPA120.
Don't forget the discounts available:
Fee Reductions and Exemptions:
While there are no bulk or couple discounts from the OPG, you may be eligible for financial assistance if the person making the application (the donor) is on a low income or receives certain benefits:
50% Discount: If the donor earns less than £12,000 per year before tax.
Full Exemption (£0): If the donor receives means-tested benefits (e.g., Income Support, Guarantee Credit).
To apply, you must complete form LPA120.
To the OPs question it depends how the forms have been filled in. You can choose whether the LPA is active immediately, or only after mental capacity is lost.
So my advice would be to check with the solicitor who did it for you.
Either way, an LPAs does need to be registered with the OPG, but if you/your solicitor has possession of the actual LPA then this should already have been done.
So my advice would be to check with the solicitor who did it for you.
Either way, an LPAs does need to be registered with the OPG, but if you/your solicitor has possession of the actual LPA then this should already have been done.
Any LPA is only valid and ready for potential use when it is embossed on every page with the raised lettering ( bottom of each page ) where it mentions official stamp which also shows it has been registered by the OPG.
When certified copies are made each and every page of the copy needs to be certified as a copy.
The biggest mistakes made when diy are for instance on page 4 of the Property and Financial one when the joint and several box if more than one attorney isn’t ticked.
Page 6 again always go for the top tick box - as soon as registered and not the only when mental capacity lost.
Once registered they can just be kept safely at home - if you have done them for a parent then maybe you keep the originals.
You will use more of the Finance ones than the Health and if you want to do some notifications simultaneously then registering for the access code mechanism and having hard certified copies lis the belt and braces approach.
Many people never have to have them used once registered but always better to have and not need rather than the opposite.
In many respects they are more important to have done than a will.
I’ve just enacted my Mothers but only in respect of her main bank accounts - some organisations are much better than others at doing this.
For all of the ones I’ve had to enact previously Lloyds Bank and Nationwide stand out as being the most efficient.
When certified copies are made each and every page of the copy needs to be certified as a copy.
The biggest mistakes made when diy are for instance on page 4 of the Property and Financial one when the joint and several box if more than one attorney isn’t ticked.
Page 6 again always go for the top tick box - as soon as registered and not the only when mental capacity lost.
Once registered they can just be kept safely at home - if you have done them for a parent then maybe you keep the originals.
You will use more of the Finance ones than the Health and if you want to do some notifications simultaneously then registering for the access code mechanism and having hard certified copies lis the belt and braces approach.
Many people never have to have them used once registered but always better to have and not need rather than the opposite.
In many respects they are more important to have done than a will.
I’ve just enacted my Mothers but only in respect of her main bank accounts - some organisations are much better than others at doing this.
For all of the ones I’ve had to enact previously Lloyds Bank and Nationwide stand out as being the most efficient.
And don't forget that if you are the alternate attorney - i.e. it was your Dad initially, but he's now passed away - then you need to get the OPG to update the document. All they do is put a tiny stamp on it saying "This attorney may now act", but I presume some stuff also happens in the background.
I used my mums financial LPA last year when she was terminally ill and bed bound, all I had to do was take the original copy to her Santander bank and they copied it and handed it back to me. They gave me online access to her bank accounts to pay bills etc.
It proved to be a Godsend when paying for every day things such as shopping, meals and equipment for her house that she needed. It enabled me to calculate her monthly income and expenditure so we knew how much disposable money she had each month to pay for things.
Fortunately myself, brother and sister all lived local and could afford to cover any costs ourselves had we not had the LPA, but mum wanted to cover the costs, I guess for her own pride and dignity. It enabled me to purchase items for her on my bank card and transfer the money from her account to mine. It's surprising how £costs soon rack up, especially when paying for carers etc.
I used the code generating facility when speaking to other financial organisations such as insurance companies, phone provider, energy providers, her financial advisor etc. Without the LPA it would have caused us a nightmare as non of these organisations will speak to yo without one.
Mum also wanted to make her £3k IHT exempt gifts that year, which I was able to carry out for her.
Despite her illness and terminal diagnosis we never needed to use her health LPA.
Remember, the LPA is only for the benefit of the donor, not the person making use of it. So you can't just move money around to suit you or to benefit you, it has to be for them.
It proved to be a Godsend when paying for every day things such as shopping, meals and equipment for her house that she needed. It enabled me to calculate her monthly income and expenditure so we knew how much disposable money she had each month to pay for things.
Fortunately myself, brother and sister all lived local and could afford to cover any costs ourselves had we not had the LPA, but mum wanted to cover the costs, I guess for her own pride and dignity. It enabled me to purchase items for her on my bank card and transfer the money from her account to mine. It's surprising how £costs soon rack up, especially when paying for carers etc.
I used the code generating facility when speaking to other financial organisations such as insurance companies, phone provider, energy providers, her financial advisor etc. Without the LPA it would have caused us a nightmare as non of these organisations will speak to yo without one.
Mum also wanted to make her £3k IHT exempt gifts that year, which I was able to carry out for her.
Despite her illness and terminal diagnosis we never needed to use her health LPA.
Remember, the LPA is only for the benefit of the donor, not the person making use of it. So you can't just move money around to suit you or to benefit you, it has to be for them.
Edited by The Gauge on Tuesday 21st July 08:58
Chris340gti said:
Just to make myself clearer ( my fault ) we have POA for health and finance. This was completed by our solicitors..
A colleague at work happened to mention that the POA documents now need registering on the office of public guardian website ?? ( or is this just when she loses capacity?)
Or will this have been done as part of the solicitors work in all this ??
You're paying the solicitors a chunk of money to do this work so IMHO they should be answering your questions (as they obviously didn't explain it properly at the outset).A colleague at work happened to mention that the POA documents now need registering on the office of public guardian website ?? ( or is this just when she loses capacity?)
Or will this have been done as part of the solicitors work in all this ??
Seems getting a solicitor involved is completely unnecessary, my parents and my in-laws have done theirs recently, when you get the letter through to complete there is a link and a number you need to use on the government website, do that process and you're all done.
Im not sure how you use the power when the time comes but that'll take care of itself i think once you have the government website access
Im not sure how you use the power when the time comes but that'll take care of itself i think once you have the government website access
ColinsCornflakes said:
Seems getting a solicitor involved is completely unnecessary, my parents and my in-laws have done theirs recently, when you get the letter through to complete there is a link and a number you need to use on the government website, do that process and you're all done.
Im not sure how you use the power when the time comes but that'll take care of itself i think once you have the government website access
For financial matters you have to demonstrate to the institution that you have the POA in place Im not sure how you use the power when the time comes but that'll take care of itself i think once you have the government website access
Personally I would make sure the key institutions are aware of it and have you authorised on their system asap then it's all ready should you ever need it.
You then don't have to use it until you actually need to.
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