HMRC Power of Attorney problem

A_new_Start_2

Hello.

Hoping someone may be able to help me with this problem?

HMRC hold a power of attorney for me, in the name of an ex partner (15 years ago ++).

I don't remember ever signing one but it is quite possible that he forged my signature as he has done on other documents in the past.

The problem is that HMRC won't just accept a letter from me stating that I now cancel it, they are insisting on a legal document. I am very tight on cash right now so I'm trying to avoid solicitors if I can.

I have read on Google that if the Attorney is deceased then it becomes null and void. As there is every possibility he could be dead (he's old and unhealthy!) how can I find out without much info. All I have is his full name and date of birth. I may know a county he lived in but not a town.
Any help gratefully received

Thanks

agrinnall

I would suggest that you contact the Office of the Public Guardian, the body that registers Power of Attorney, to ask what the process is to deregister an attorney, which is surely something that you should have an absolute right to do as long as you have mental capacity (which I assume you do).


https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian

A_new_Start_2

Thank you, I'll see what they have to say....HMRC cost me nearly £9 just for a 45 minute call!

BoGoF

What number did you call.....HMRC numbers are free unless (I think) you do not have inclusive calls on a mobile.

A_new_Start_2

I made the mistake of using my landline to an 0300 number. I now know that if I use my mobile on EE it will be free :-) Not a mistake I will make again.

Keep_pedalling

agrinnall wrote: »

I would suggest that you contact the Office of the Public Guardian, the body that registers Power of Attorney, to ask what the process is to deregister an attorney, which is surely something that you should have an absolute right to do as long as you have mental capacity (which I assume you do).


https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian

This sounds like an ordinary POA rather than an EPA, which the OotPG will have no record of, but you should still check with them first.

A_new_Start_2

From past experience my ex just used to bang them out on a computer, no solicitors involved. This is why I was a bit miffed that HMRC want a solicitors letter to cancel it.

elsien

https://www.gov.uk/use-or-cancel-an-enduring-power-of-attorney

A_new_Start_2

Thanks for the link. Reading through quickly I am not willing to pay £400 to cancel something that I probably never signed in the first place. :-(

A_new_Start_2

I would really appreciate advice on how to find out if my ex is deceased. I've tried google, ancestry but have run out of ideas now.:think:

elsien

A_new_Start wrote: »

Thanks for the link. Reading through quickly I am not willing to pay £400 to cancel something that I probably never signed in the first place. :-(

Read the link properly. You don't have to pay £400 if it was never egistered, you just draw up the revocation document and get it witnessed. Which doesn't need a solicitor. It will be far quicker to check initially with the OPG than trying the track down if the ex is dead or not.