HELP with Power of Attorney

imsi

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevepett
The Office of the Public Guardian will give TWO free office copies at the time of registration - but only if you ask (and that was a BIG trade secret!)
That no longer seems to be the case.

alanq wrote: »

That no longer seems to be the case.

"Office copy of EPA/LPA fee £25.00 - This fee is payable on application for an office copy of an EPA/LPA. No refund is available. "

Perhaps when the fee was reduced from £150 to £120 the "free" copies ceased.

http://www.publicguardian.gov.uk/about/OPG-fees.htm

I thought that an "office copy" was a copy certified by the OPG at the time the original POA was registered.

Sorry to be late, I've only just read the thread, but the 2 free copies still applies. You have to write a letter asking for them stating the reference number and the name and address of Doner and Attorney. I was told this today and have sent my letter today.
I will advise if this is not the case.
I have found the Office of the Public Guardian Helpline (0300 456 0300) very helpful during this process, especially as I found the guidance notes a little unclear at times.
It took much longer than expected though. I applied in August but I have only this week got PoA for my mothers affairs.

I am unsure of how to go about letting all her banks etc know. It seems I should contact each organisation individually to see how to proceed as their are quite a few differences between companies. A pity as I'd hoped to send a standard letter to all of them. Any advice appreciated.

Great to see Bella got there in the end.

stevepett

Unfortunately, every institution needs to see an original/ office copy AND carry out Money Laundering on each attorney.

This may mean that you need to spend a week or so together visiting the institutions in turn as a worst case scenario. With luck, you won't need to visit more than two or three which might be accomplished in half a day.

I would send your standard letter and ask for their SPECIFIC requirements in WRITING - and make sure you take the reply down when you visit to register the LPA with them or they will ask you for something totally different.

They will do their best to take the document away from you and lose it - prepare a receipt letter which they must sign before you part with the LPA conforming that they accept responsibility of they lose it and that they will return it to you by insured Special Delivery. Losing an LPA can very VERY expensive

With regard to the free Office Copies it is my understanding that these are ONLY available if requested at the same time as the LPA is registered - I will try to remember to double check tomorrow.

stevepett

Yes, I was correct - you MUST ask, in writing, for the two "office copies" at the time the Lasting Powers of Attorney are registered. If you don't they will cost you £25 each.

imsi

stevepett wrote: »

Yes, I was correct - you MUST ask, in writing, for the two "office copies" at the time the Lasting Powers of Attorney are registered. If you don't they will cost you £25 each.

Not sure where you got this confirmation, steve, but I have received my 2 free office copies now and the helpline assures me that there is no time period preventing getting them, only that only the first 2 copies are free.

stevepett

You will find with the OPG that you may not get the same answer twice if there are multiple options!
It is safest to as in writing at the time the documents are sent in for registration!

Steve