P of A application issues

Primrose53

Shinamae

I’ve been meaning to do mine for a few months now, but reading all this, I’m not going to bother at least not for the foreseeable 🤷‍♀️

Shinamae. Take no notice, it’s honestly very easy. Use the gov site, print off the forms, take it slowly and every single section has very clear notes beside it. I had never done one before but sailed through it. They are always at the end of a phone if you have a query anyway. Go for it!

Thanks Primrose 💐

I agree it’s fairly easy to do. You can fill in the forms online and print them out. The only problem I had was getting the signatures all signed and in the right order. I had to send one of my daughters her page to be signed and witnessed as we didn’t know when we would see her in person. They do warn you it could take a long time to get registered so I’ve done mine in plenty of time-just in case anything should happen to me suddenly.

We did ours through our solicitor. It costs but at least you have someone to chase things up and deal with issues on your behalf. One form was returned simply because my son had gone over a date twice. He had to complete another form and so did I which delayed things but at least the solicitor dealt with it.

I took the easy way out and got my solicitor to apply for the LPA. It did take longer than I expected because he had to contact both of my sons and collate all the information from them. It's all done and registered now

People on benefits do not get it free.
If I need one, I will definitely get a solicitor to do it,
A DIY one sounds very stressful and not worth the hassle.

In 2014 when my sister became ill I completed both parts of a LPA. She was on benefits Greciangirl and we had nothing to pay. However, she died 6 weeks after I'd sent this off - I didn't get it back until about two months after her death.

They’re quick enough to give POA without checking the applicant.

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6280599/fraudulent-power-of-attorney

The above can happen to any one of us and we would never know.

Is it different in Scotland? We did it through a solicitor and it was done in no time. I'm intrigued by this thread.

Greciangirl please bear in mind that if you wait until you "need one" you are likely to have to wait 3 or 4 months before you actually have one that is registered and useable . If you do it now it will be sorted and usable as soon as you need it. (3 or 4 months is a long time should you be stuck in hospital with nobody you trust able to express your wishes)

Greciangirl this is from the YouGov website

If the person who made the LPA or EPA (the ‘donor’) receives certain means-tested benefits when you apply to register it, you won’t have to pay anything – this is called an ‘exemption’.

The benefits are listed in the form above.

If the donor’s income before tax is less than £12,000 a year, you’ll only have to pay half – this is known as a ‘50% remission’.

Greciangirl

People on benefits do not get it free.
If I need one, I will definitely get a solicitor to do it,
A DIY one sounds very stressful and not worth the hassle.

See below. I am correct.

IClaudius

Greciangirl this is from the YouGov website

If the person who made the LPA or EPA (the ‘donor’) receives certain means-tested benefits when you apply to register it, you won’t have to pay anything – this is called an ‘exemption’.

The benefits are listed in the form above.

If the donor’s income before tax is less than £12,000 a year, you’ll only have to pay half – this is known as a ‘50% remission’.

Thank you IClaudius. 👏👏

Love it when people come on and tell you that you are wrong without checking for themselves first.

Dearknees1

We did ours through our solicitor. It costs but at least you have someone to chase things up and deal with issues on your behalf. One form was returned simply because my son had gone over a date twice. He had to complete another form and so did I which delayed things but at least the solicitor dealt with it.

But doing it yourself you can chase it just like a solicitor can.
How come the solicitor who you were paying handsomely didn’t notice your son had signed wrongly?🤔

As my Mum asked me to be her POA I started from that moment and part of my duty was to ensure I did my best for her and I did, I saved her about £1,300 by doing it myself.

I had intended to write our POA’s and had drafted a copy of the H&W POA when we decided it felt safer to use a solicitor. At our first appointment she thanked me for the draft, said it would be helpful and then immediately pointed out one section where my wording would have been contrary to the intention. We had both POAs compiled for each of us, the solicitor dealt with long distance signatures and all were back with us registered in less than four months. Such a relief to know they are done. Yes, it did seem costly but the peace of mind was and is worth every penny.

cornergran

I had intended to write our POA’s and had drafted a copy of the H&W POA when we decided it felt safer to use a solicitor. At our first appointment she thanked me for the draft, said it would be helpful and then immediately pointed out one section where my wording would have been contrary to the intention. We had both POAs compiled for each of us, the solicitor dealt with long distance signatures and all were back with us registered in less than four months. Such a relief to know they are done. Yes, it did seem costly but the peace of mind was and is worth every penny.

Cornergran I don’t quite understand that because completing the forms is so straightforward and is just carefully reading and ticking boxes. I can’t remember having to actually write anything or drafting anything. We had Mum’s lovely neighbour witness it all after discussing it with her.

Ours went straight through with no hiccups and the registered paperwork was back with us in 2 months although I do know it takes longer these days. It was 5 years ago when I did ours.

The health poa requires more than just ticking boxes. It is easy to think that what you have written clearly sets out your wishes but sadly it’s not always the case. A solicitor can make sure that your wishes are properly set out.

Germanshepherdsmum

The health poa requires more than just ticking boxes. It is easy to think that what you have written clearly sets out your wishes but sadly it’s not always the case. A solicitor can make sure that your wishes are properly set out.

Is it? I honestly can’t remember writing anything like that and Mum certainly didn’t. I seem to remember a section which was not compulsory, could that be it? My Mum entrusted me to make decisions for her about her health and welfare. Also her Property and Finance.

Whatever …… both parts were invaluable from selling her house, to managing her finances, paying her bills, fees etc. When Mum was admitted to hospital the first thing they asked was who was POA. When she went into care the same thing.

The care home, Mum and I discussed her end of life plan which she was happy to do and she gave very clear instructions and I then ensured she left this earth in the care home (she said she didn’t want to pass in hospital), that I was there, that she was warm, wearing her favourite perfume and best nighties and her favourite music was playing as she slipped away. She got everything just as she wanted.

Exactly so germanshepherdsmum. In order to properly explain our wishes the ticked boxes were insufficient. One phrase used would have caused the intent behind something important to us to have been misunderstood The solicitor spotted it immediately. It was then easily rectified. I can only offer our experience, perhaps it depends how detailed the individual wishes to be.

We had a check to see if we were of sound mind to ensure all was above board, so how does that work if you do a DIY one?

Marydoll

We had a check to see if we were of sound mind to ensure all was above board, so how does that work if you do a DIY one?

There is a section that has to be signed by somebody who knows you but doesn't stand to gain anything from you confirming that you have the mental capacity to understand what you are doing. It is open to fraud but isn't everything?

Ours wasn't difficult to do if you follow the instructions methodically but took ages to get registered....all the paperwork is back now.

For those who are worrying about copies. Each attorney is sent a letter with codes and passwords as the process is all moving online. Don't know if that's good or bad for us but the younger generations will be fine with it and I'll be beyond caring by the time it comes into use.

Thanks, Pitt. A lawer had to confirm us. It is certainly open to fraud.

Pittcity

Marydoll

We had a check to see if we were of sound mind to ensure all was above board, so how does that work if you do a DIY one?

There is a section that has to be signed by somebody who knows you but doesn't stand to gain anything from you confirming that you have the mental capacity to understand what you are doing. It is open to fraud but isn't everything?

Ours wasn't difficult to do if you follow the instructions methodically but took ages to get registered....all the paperwork is back now.

For those who are worrying about copies. Each attorney is sent a letter with codes and passwords as the process is all moving online. Don't know if that's good or bad for us but the younger generations will be fine with it and I'll be beyond caring by the time it comes into use.

Correct. My Mum’s next door neighbour came round and witnessed. She had known Mum very well for over 15 years and is younger and well educated. Both her parents are retired GPs. She chatted to Mum about the POA and made sure it was all what Mum wanted and only then did she witness things.

In fact she probably did a better job than a member of staff in a solicitors who is called in who knows nothing about them whatsoever, they just literally sign.

Thanks GSMx

😊 H.