They are often set up as people get older and fear their health may begin to fail. Alternatively, people use them if they are going to be out of the country or preoccupied for some other reason and need someone to look after their interests for them.
You can appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf about your welfare, money or property. LPAs should be drawn up with the help of a solicitor to ensure that they properly reflect your wishes and that your interests are fully protected.
LPAs have to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which administers the system.
The OPG has now announced that it wants to introduce a new online service to
replace the current paper based approach.
Alan Eccles, the Public Guardian, said: “More and more people are now taking th
e important decision to apply for Lasting Power of Attorney and we want to make sure we provide the best possible service for them – one that is simple, straightforward and effective.
“The proposed new online application process will make applying simpler and quicker, while the changes we plan to make in the ‘back-office’ will make the whole service more efficient.”
The OPG is now carrying out a public consultation and is asking for people’s views on its proposals.
It wants feedback on various points such as the forms and application process, and the system for registering LPAs.
The consultation runs until 19th October.
Please contact us if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of LPAs.
