Power of attorney

The forms are very straightforward and simple. There is no need to use a solicitor. Just get it done now, rather than later.

We managed witnesses for our updated wills during lockdown one. A trestle table set up outside the garage, us on one side, neighbours on the other, used our own pens, hand washing right afterwards, QED.

We have done this including and included an end of life plan too.
We watched helpless as OH mother was placed in a care home and given treatment others deemed necessary extending her life to a pitiful exsitence making her a mockery of herself. She had dementia and couldnt make the decsions for herself.
The reason we chose to do it through a lawyer was so that it would be legal and regestered. Even if I lose my copy its on record and can be called up aat the touch of a button.

My doctor has been emailed a copy so they know whats gong on and my children are all well aware of whats in it because we discussed it all before going ahead to ensure they were all in agreement.

Nonogran solicitors have been getting witness signatures outside, main person in the car, witness signing paperwork on the bonnet, being used for house purchases widely as well.

I have completed hard copy forms for POA and am waiting for the Court of Protection to register them. There are 2 of us and each of us have nominated each other and both sons. It was not complicated, but what made it confusing was all 4 of us have the same surname, I had to separate the forms to get all the witness signatures, one through the post. The forms for Financial and Health are almost the same. I got in quite a muddle and it was a headache for a long time, because of the difficulties in having to have a little physical contact with people. I could not ask a neighbour to pop in to witness signatures, and each appointee had the same issue.

So my advice would be

1. Be methodical.
2. Keep all packs of forms together, but separate
3. Do not attempt it during a lockdown!

Incidentally, I had some parts of the forms returned because of an omission/error. I was not billed for this.

One thing I’d add - do be sure to read the instructions that come with the forms properly - and follow them exactly.

If you don’t, then IIRC your forms will be rejected and you’ll have to do it all over again - and pay another fee.

Dh and I did ours a couple of years ago.
Forms downloaded, filled in and sent off to whichever dept. with the fees.
The forms are very straightforward and you can add your wishes - we both did on our Health and Welfare ones.

We didn’t use a solicitor, didn’t see any need at all.

Left on an answer phone by the way

Well I have just rung the office for public guardianship left my details and they say they will send me the forms for Power Of Attorney within 12 days so fingers crossed. ?

Shinamae As I remember it is one document.

Excellent advice as always. When I ring tomorrow I will ask them to send me the hardcopies of the forms. I’ve got a friend who has known me for 13 years and can vouch for me but I thought it had to be somebody professional but you say not so that’s all good... Thank you ??

Please don't pay a solicitor it really is easy as long as you are methodical. It didn't take too long.

I'm doing my mum's POA at present & am doing my own too. I sent away to the Government office to get 'hard copies" and the guidance notes so I could see what's involved. I prefer something I can sit and digest over a coffee. Easy peasy!
At present the draw back is getting signature witnesses in the same room & socially distanced? The cost is £82 each for Financial and Health.
You don't need your GP to sign to say you are "of sound mind" , just someone whose known you for a couple of years. My mum asked her neighbour & I've done the same.
I recommend you do some research before you pay mega bucks to a solicitor ...you'll save a fortune.

POA can be used for other things too. When we sold our house in France we couldn't be present at the signing of the documents. So we signed a form to give our notaire the right to sign on our behalf. It didn't cost much.

I was executor for both my dad and my brothers Wills but they were both very straightforward, neither of them used a solicitor they just got a will pack from WHSmith’s and I was able to go through probate quite easily. I have done the same with my will although about four years ago I paid £176 for a solicitor to write my will but it was so full of jargon that I a couple of years later wrote my own which is much more concise and clear.....

Be prepared for a wait Shinamae, my aunt applied in November for myself and her neighbour to be LPOA's, apparently it's still 'in court'. Either that, or her solicitor is hopeless.

Flakesdayout its really great that you were able to do the Probate for your mum's will.

The solicitors won again when my lovely Dad died last July - charged nearly £2.5K for dealing with Dad's will. Unfortunately Dad named the solicitor as his Executor in his will so we didnt have any choice over it.

I did both POA's for my Mum. As she was estranged from my brother I was the main POA with my sons. I managed all her finances and all her health needs to the best of my ability. It was only when she had died that my Brother took an interest. Luckily my Mum had made a Will and was very clear. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and do not rush things. You do not really need a solicitor as it is quite a straightforward process. I managed to do my own Probate too. Good luck with it.

I have the number now for the government department think I will ring them tomorrow and see if they can send me out the forms, thank you all for your help it’s invaluable ?‍♀️????

you dont have to use a solicitor Shinamae, and as far as I am aware certification from a Doctor is not required.

My dad sorted his Power of Attourney out just over 12 months ago..........solicitor charged over £800 plus VAT.

The forms are pretty straightforward and as someone else has said you can put all of your children down on the one form.

If I'd have known how straightforward the forms are, there's no way I'd have had Dad paying all this money to a solicitor. It really is money for old rope.

Maybe one of your children or a good friend could help with downloading and printing the forms and following the steps that are required?

There are two types of Power of Attourney which are

health and welfare
property and financial affairs

You can choose to make one type or both. It costs £82 to register each type. There are certain exemptions or reductions to this registration fee.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/power-of-attorney-fees

Best of luck with it.

Depends on your solicitor’s charges - we have learned after changing our wills a couple of years ago that ours certainly ‘isn’t cheap’!

As far as I’m aware (but someone might know better) it’s a single charge for the individual POA (1 for health, 1 for finance), irrespective of how many are nominated.

Perhaps CAB or Age UK could help for a donation?

Georgesgran

I’m going to do mine online. There are 2 parts - health and finance. Solicitors charge what they want to do them - ours quoted £500 for both parts but each!! £1000!

So to do it for my three children it’s going to cost me £1500 and then I believe the Doctor who will certificate it I think he charges as well. I just don’t know if I can afford all that ? but not sure I’m confident enough to do it online and besides I don’t have a printer....

Shinamae

Oh ok,thank you...?Mon does that mean I have to have three separate lots of power-of-attorney or can all my siblings be added on the one document?

You add all your attorneys on the same document, a separate page for each one. They will need to get someone to witness their signatures then you just send them off with the rest off the sheets.

Just read the instructions carefully to make sure that all the pages are signed on the correct order, your signature as the donor needs to be the last date. The instructions are very clear.

I’m going to do mine online. There are 2 parts - health and finance. Solicitors charge what they want to do them - ours quoted £500 for both parts but each!! £1000!

Artaylar

Here is the relevant gov.uk link Shinamae, it includes links to the steps that need to be taken and the forms that have to be completed.
www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Thank you...?