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.
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