New power of attorney guide

JGB1955

We have given self-certified copies of our POAs to our children so that they can use them when/if necessary.  The originals are in our safe. It was a bit of a pain having to sign and certify every page but we just photocopied the original whilst adding a slip of paper at the bottom of each page stating “I certify this is a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original lasting power of attorney” and additionally, on the last page, “I certify this is a true and complete copy of the lasting power of attorney.”  Each page needs to be signed and dated.... job done!

peteduk

Thanks all, the 20 copies was because of the peoples quoted experiences so I was being on the safe side.....and a bit tongue in cheek I hoped. But anyway a few will be desirable. Cheers

Primrose

Peteduk. - regarding number of certified copies needed:  how many savings accounts do you have?  If your attorneys have to act, it,s likely they will be dealing with several different organisations at the same time, so if you have to deal with one at a time, it could take months waiting for registered copies to be returned (if indeed the organisation doesn,t keep them.   We have several savings accounts used for different purposes so probably need to make some additional certified copies which is a laborious process, and in any case will have to wait until our library reopens again and we can access a photocopier.    Makes you realise the benefits of being pre- retirement and having access to a photo machine at work! 

peteduk

Well not 20!
But I will do a review, and also include a few others in case other organisations want one. All family bills etc are in my sole name as I'm the one who is comfortable working on the computer.
I plan to use my home printer. It is getting lots of use since the start of COVID as I print several copies of our church newsletter for a few non computer literate people. About time it earned its keep.

peteduk

Sorry if you all know this but some may find this link helpful:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-online-service-to-improve-lasting-power-of-attorney
In future it means we may not need to make certified copies. Unfortunately it doesn't go back further than 17/07/20 ATM and not all institutions will use it yet.
I found it because (only now) was I going to make LPA copies for our Doctor's surgery before doing the others. However that's now on hold until I speak to the OPG because we've moved house - I don't think the LPA needs updating but would like to check before I waste my time.

Primrose

Than you.  That,s a helpful link but obviously currently only useful for those who have created P of A,s since July of last year.  (I imagine the stark realities of the Covid pandemic has caused a lot of people to take action putting their affairs in order !)
if you come across any information about it being extended to LPA,s created before the July 2020 it would be really helpful if you could update this thread.   We had a terrible time some months ago trying to lodge a two year old Pof A with a financial institution.  Using a digital method would have been much less frustrating. 

peteduk

Thinking I would learn from those who have self certified copies of their LPA, I ordered and received a stamp with the words necessary to self certify the individual pages (I know additional words are necessary for the final page but was happy to write these out as there wouldn't be so much to write).
The stamp arrived and I realised I hadn't thought it through.
The stamp is ~ 7cm x 3.5cm but the words on the .gov website state that the words should be written at the bottom of each page of the copy. If I stamp the bottom of each page I assume I shouldn't cover the 'Official Stamp', nor areas where someone has input (e.g. the Witness or Attorney signatures). In addition there are pages where the pro-forma reaches to the bottom of the page but the detail is empty. 
 I contacted the Office of the Public Guardian. Unfortunately the person I spoke to hadn't heard of self certification and had to ask her manager about it and then could not advise regarding the correct protocol for stamping the LPA copy - she only said they could not guarantee the use of self-certified copies as acceptable.

Can someone who used a stamp please advise how they managed this? For example: Did you have a smaller stamp or stamp at the top of each sheet etc? (Even then the space is limited at the top of some sheets and I believe the stamp will overlap the proforma on these)
Thank you for your advice,

Primrose

Afraid I can,t help you because when I saw the very small height available for self certification wording at the bottom of each page I realised an official stamp would probably be sized too large for the space and ended up hand certifying, which was a time consuming exercise.  I,m not sure how solicitors produce self certified copies as they must have a similar problem unless  they have access to a special stamp with an extra small font which fits the space available. 

Your experience with the office of Public Guardian is disconcerting.  It,s bad enough many financial institutions being badly educated on how these legal documents should be administered.  That the government department who is responsible for the production and registration of them has staff who are also badly informed is concerning.
hopefully somebody on here will be able to tell you where to obtain a stamp that is specially designed to fit in the small space available. 

Ralos

"Can someone who used a stamp please advise how they managed this? For example: Did you have a smaller stamp or stamp at the top of each sheet etc? (Even then the space is limited at the top of some sheets and I believe the stamp will overlap the proforma on these)
Thank you for your advice,"
Hello, I just saw your message and fully sympathise with your comments especially about the Office of Public Guardian which should be more helpful in this situation. I had the same problem two years ago when my wife and I had to arrange four copies of each LPA, 240 pages, 4,500 words, there was no way we were going to write all that out by hand.
You can look back at my posts about this in April 2019 and with the help of another poster I obtained a nice little self inking rubber stamp 6 centimetres wide and about 1.5 centimetres deep with the words "I certify this is a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original lasting power of attorney." This fits neatly at the bottom of each page with the additional words on the last page which we then signed and dated. 
My daughter is an experienced solicitor (and one of our attorneys) and she is happy that they are valid and in order. 
I still have the stamp which is working perfectly so your are welcome to it if you cover the postage cost so please send me a personal message if you are interested. Kind regards, Ralos.

Primrose

Ralos
Thanks for that information.  It would probably be very helpful to a lot of,people if you could name the supplier of that specific stamp.
Most  people doing p of A,s will probably have several documents needing to be certified.  It could even be a small business idea for somebody acquiring several stamps and ink kits and hiring them out!