Anyone who applied to register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2017 could be entitled to a refund of up to £108, after cost savings made by the Office of the Public Guardian were not passed on to consumers. The OPG is the public body which registers Lasting Powers of Attorney and, as a non-profit making Government office, it should have passed on efficiency savings to the public by way of reduced registration fees for LPAs.
An online form is available for individuals to claim their refund at: https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund
A Lasting Power of Attorney, which supersedes the previous Enduring Powers of Attorney, is a legal mechanism allowing people to plan for a time when they may be unable to look after their own affairs. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, an individual may lack capacity to make decisions, if, for example, they have an accident or illness. A Lasting Power of Attorney allows them to appoint someone to make decisions on their behalf in respect of financial affairs and/or health and welfare.
It is estimated that there are currently 11.6 million people aged over 65 in the UK, or 17.8% of the population. With average life expectancy for men currently at 79.5 years and for women at 83.2 years, more and more of us can expect to live to a ripe old age, bringing with it the increased risk of mental and physical infirmity.
Here at Bretherton Law our expert Wills and Probate team is ready to discuss your needs and explain the process involved in executing and registering an LPA.
For more information on Lasting Powers of Attorney, see the Government website: www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview
