Three month wait to register Lasting Powers of Attorney
It currently takes 12 weeks to register a Lasting Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian, which is the Government office that supports and promotes decision-making for those who lack mental capacity or would like to plan for their future.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (or LPAs) are legal documents that enable a person to appoint a trusted family member or carer to act on their behalf or make decisions for them, should they lose mental capacity in the future.
There are two types of LPA - one for dealing with financial decisions and one for dealing with health and welfare decisions. LPAs cannot be used until they are registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Although the LPA registration process always includes a six week waiting period to enable the person who made the LPA (and anyone concerned about his or her welfare) to raise objections about the registration, the additional six weeks' delay causes immense worry and practical problems at an already difficult time.
For this reason, we always advise our clients to make and register their LPAs while they are in good health and when the LPAs are not needed urgently. The registered documents can then be placed in our strong room (and hopefully never needed!). If they are needed in the future, then the documents can be used immediately, without any delay.
If you or a relative would like advice about making LPAs, then please contact us for a free initial consultation.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (or LPAs) are legal documents that enable a person to appoint a trusted family member or carer to act on their behalf or make decisions for them, should they lose mental capacity in the future.
There are two types of LPA - one for dealing with financial decisions and one for dealing with health and welfare decisions. LPAs cannot be used until they are registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Although the LPA registration process always includes a six week waiting period to enable the person who made the LPA (and anyone concerned about his or her welfare) to raise objections about the registration, the additional six weeks' delay causes immense worry and practical problems at an already difficult time.
For this reason, we always advise our clients to make and register their LPAs while they are in good health and when the LPAs are not needed urgently. The registered documents can then be placed in our strong room (and hopefully never needed!). If they are needed in the future, then the documents can be used immediately, without any delay.
If you or a relative would like advice about making LPAs, then please contact us for a free initial consultation.