New Reforms To Lasting Powers of Attorney
Posted on 23rd July 2021
Our expert local solicitors in Longridge discuss the Office of the Public Guardian’s Lasting Power of Attorney reforms. Read our blog for more information.
What are Lasting Powers of Attorney?
Lasting Powers of Attorney forms are legal documents that you can put in place, appointing an Attorney or Attorneys to act on your behalf with making Financial decisions or Health decisions in the future.
Currently, Lasting Powers of Attorney are made and signed, and then submitted for registration to the Office of the Public Guardian. Once registered, the documents are ready to us, as and when required. Many people feel that the Lasting Power of Attorney process is behind the times, and according to a post published yesterday by the Office of the Public Guardian, there are plans to bring these documents into the 21 st Century.
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What are the two types of Lasting Powers of Attorney?
Financial decisions Lasting Powers of Attorney can be set up so that they can be used during your life whilst you have the capacity, at your direction, or during your lifetime if you lose capacity. Health and welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney are set up so that if you lose capacity, your Attorneys can make decisions on your behalf.
What changes are happening to Lasting Powers of Attorney?
There are no specific details of exactly what changes the Office of the Public Guardian intend to introduce, they have said that the aim is to “use technology to improve our LPA services, without compromising safety or limiting access for people who aren’t online”. They go onto say that they are keen to hear the views of the wider public, including those people who are themselves a donor (someone who has made a Lasting Power of Attorney) or attorney.
You can find out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney, as discussed by our expert local solicitors for Wills and Probate, here .
You can read more about the Office of the Public Guardian’s consultation, here.
What do our local Lasting Powers of Attorney solicitors in Preston think?
It is a welcome update from the Office of the Public Guardian as many of our clients are keen for Lasting Powers of Attorney to have a more modern approach. However, it will be interesting to see how the Office of the Public Guardian balance the introduction of this modern system with the safety and privacy of those who use their services.
The concern for many of our clients when making Lasting Powers of Attorney is what would happen if someone abused the documents. Whilst many clients trust their Attorneys implicitly, it can still be something to consider, and therefore we wonder what safeguards the Office of the Public Guardian will put in place.
How do I get a Lasting Powers of Attorney?
At MG Legal, our expert team of local solicitors in Longridge offer fixed fees for drafting Lasting Power of Attorneys and Lasting Powers of Attorney guidance, starting from £250 plus VAT. We can also assist with the registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney, and revoking an old Lasting Power of Attorney and replacing it with a new one.
To find out more, contact our team online, here.
Our Lasting Powers of Attorney solicitors provide confirmation of the fees payable at the very start of your matter, so that you know where you stand and what you will be charged for. Find out more about our fees, here.
How can I contact MG Legal about Lasting Powers of Attorney online?
You can contact our expert team of local solicitors in Longridge, Garstang, or Lancaster, online, here, or contact your local office directly.
Our team are available during office hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For assistance outside of office hours, email enquiries@mglegal.co.uk and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
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