POA in Scotland - help please

joddlebug

I've spend hours trying to goodle useful help files with no real joy, just more questions so hope someone here can help.

My OAP disabled, reliant on benefits mum has asked i arrange a welfare and finance poa for her. She's housebound so having her visit a solicitor to arrange, then again to sign is nearly impossible.
I called OPG who say the have templates on their website - they don't.
MSE alerted me to packs i can buy / complete online and i found https://www.myscottishattorney who also offer an online service with me taking the forms to a dr for signature. I'm concerned we'll go wrong somewhere and when needed it'll not be a legal document. I'd much rather have the final check by a solicitor.
Has anyone used these packs? Are they worth it and straightforward?

Mum has very poor credit history and although she's paying a token amount to everyone and there's no pending action etc, i wouldn't want her credit to impact mine in anyway - is that a risk if i have POA?

The cost for doing it all via a solicitor seem astronomical. I see lots of conflicting and vague mentions that she wouldn't have to pay because of her age/benefits etc. I've emailed a legal aid solicitor to see if she would be eligible but with no reply. Would anyone have a clear idea of who pays and who doesn't?

All help appreciated.

elsien

There's a legal aid estimator that might help. It's only a rough guide, but it's a start.
http://www.slab.org.uk/public/advice/index.html

Mojisola

There's a link to an information pack here -
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/money-matters/power-of-attorney/

AgeUK are usually very good with advice and help.

joddlebug

re the SLAB link - thanks but the benefit list (income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance) seems wrong from what i'm reading elsewhere, oap/disability etc also count - this is what i'm finding generally, half information everywhere..

HB58

I don't know whether things are very different in Scotland - we have done POAs for my mum without recourse to any legal help. The GP signed the first certificate (finances in our case) for £30, a friend then did the health and welfare one.

The cost of registering each POA was £120, people on certain income-related benefits could have this waived (or it could be halved if an income of below £1200 PA could be proved).

sleepless_saver

If you happen to live in the area (Edinburgh and Midlothian) for VOCAL the carers organisation, get in touch with them for free help with the form and the registration process without the need for a solicitor.
https://www.vocal.org.uk/carer-support/managing-money/planning-for-the-future/power-of-attorney/