New power of attorney guide

Sope

Mav6215 wrote: »

Some services (utilities in particular) were happy to receive a pdf file of the original via email for their records. Others, such as financial institutions preferred to see the original or a certified copy of which they took their own copy.

Useful information... thanks.

Good to hear that at least utility companies are happy with electronic copies which avoids having to send the documents by post.

pphillips wrote: »

I don't see why you can't type and print the required statement on every page and sign every page by hand underneath it.

Yep, this is what I'm planning to do.... scan the LPA, add the appropriate annotations directly to the digital images, then print the necessary number of copies to be signed by hand.

In fact, I'm hoping it may be the case that most institutions would accept a photocopy of a single hand certified copy.

I guess it's not too problematic if the original LPA needs to be presented at a bank as long as they make their own copy and hand it straight back. The main aim is to avoid either having to send off the original LPA by post, or leave it in someone else's possession for any length of time.

Fruitcake

pphillips wrote: »

You may have a meticulous institution that may check the document. I don't see why you can't type and print the required statement on every page and sign every page by hand underneath it. Unless of course there are still some institutions that will only accept the original or a solicitor certified copy.

Sope wrote: »

Useful information... thanks.

Good to hear that at least utility companies are happy with electronic copies which avoids having to send the documents by post.



Yep, this is what I'm planning to do.... scan the LPA, add the appropriate annotations directly to the digital images, then print the necessary number of copies to be signed by hand.

In fact, I'm hoping it may be the case that most institutions would accept a photocopy of a single hand certified copy.

I guess it's not too problematic if the original LPA needs to be presented at a bank as long as they make their own copy and hand it straight back. The main aim is to avoid either having to send off the original LPA by post, or leave it in someone else's possession for any length of time.

I tried the method of writing the required wording on every page and getting the donor to sign them, but found many institutions weren't interested or aware this is allowed and demanded the original or a certified copy.

I did find however that my local council offered a free certification scheme. I went along to the council offices and asked about this, was given a number and waited for the respective council official to see me.
After I explained what I wanted they first copied everything. Then they stamped each and every page with three different stamps. One was the official council stamp, one was a statement that this was a certified copy, and one was a date stamp with a signature box. The official then went through each page again and signed in the relevant stamped signature box.
It took a while to do all this but was very efficient overall, and free.

It would worth be checking to see if your local council offer this facility.

As already mentioned, a few banks were happy to see the originals, copy them, and then certify overall (not every page) that they had witnessed and approved the PoA. This had to be done by a manager or someone with the authority within the bank.
On completion the originals were returned to me.

badmemory

Should you need a copy for DWP as I did a few years ago. I discovered that an appointment (although I didn't need one) with the local job centre would get the documents copied & certified (foc). I then sent them to DWP, who made their own copy and returned the certified copy to me, giving me a spare copy. When we sold my mother's house the solicitors needed a copy so they took 2 copies, certified one and gave it back to me foc. So 2 spares. It meant if I needed to post any I could do so without worrying about a non-return.

markt123

Hi, is there any benefit in setting up a Health and Welfare LPA between husband and wife? I had always assumed that if I lost the ability to make health decisions for myself, then my wife would have the ability to do so automatically. Thanks.

Browntoa

no , you need the Health and Welfare to make decisions on their behalf

Mojisola

markt123 wrote: »

Hi, is there any benefit in setting up a Health and Welfare LPA between husband and wife?

I had always assumed that if I lost the ability to make health decisions for myself, then my wife would have the ability to do so automatically.

Browntoa wrote: »

no , you need the Health and Welfare to make decisions on their behalf

And also put in place an alternative attorney in case you are both incapable such as after a serious car accident.

troubleinparadise

markt123 wrote: »

Hi, is there any benefit in setting up a Health and Welfare LPA between husband and wife? I had always assumed that if I lost the ability to make health decisions for myself, then my wife would have the ability to do so automatically. Thanks.

It's not only about being able to make health decisions - it might be as simple as being able to talk about your health issues with medical professionals, which is protected under data protection rules. Some will bend those rules, but not all.

Primrose

I do think it is worth doing both LPAs because as has been mentioned by Trouble in Paradise, some health professions may be over zealous in protection of a patients medical record or condition. in a health & Welfare LPA you can state that your attorneys must be given access to your medical records, and be consulted on any serious decisions regarding medical care such as possibly life prolonging surgery or other treatments. If you do not have mental capacity wouldn,t you want your spouse/attorneys to be consulted on these issues without having to argue about some medical professional'a over zealous regard for protocol?

In the Health & Welfare LPA you can also state preference about the type of care home you might want to be in for example or possibly dying at home rather than in hospital if suitable resources are available. If it comes to such decisions, who do you want to make them , your attorneys or some impersonal social care or hospital authorities? The Health & Welfare LPA can cover a wide range of issues on which you can make your wishes or preferences known. Of course you can,t cover all eventualities because emergencies happen but setting down these things in advance does make decision making easier for those who are left to cope.

Sope

Fruitcake #363
badmemory #364

More useful info...thanks!

Sope

markt123 wrote: »

Hi, is there any benefit in setting up a Health and Welfare LPA between husband and wife? I had always assumed that if I lost the ability to make health decisions for myself, then my wife would have the ability to do so automatically. Thanks.

Maybe a living will could be a suitable alternative?

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

We prioritised the financial LPAs as that is the area that can be most difficult to deal with and you also have the alternative (free) option of completing a advanced decision (aka living will) for health decisions.

http://compassionindying.org.uk/library/advance-decision-pack/