The Benefits of Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney Straight Away

Before a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can be used, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which currently costs £82 per LPA. There are two main types of LPA:

Property and Financial Affairs LPA – This can be used as soon as it is registered, with the donor’s consent.

Health and Welfare LPA – This can only be used once the donor has lost mental capacity.

While it is possible to wait and register an LPA only when it’s needed, there are clear advantages to registering it as soon as possible:

Registration currently takes up to 16 weeks. In a crisis, this delay could prevent your attorneys from acting when they are urgently needed. By registering the LPA in advance, it is ready to be used immediately should the need arise.

If the OPG finds any errors in the LPA during registration, these can be corrected while the donor still has capacity. If registration is delayed and errors are discovered at the point of need, it may be too late to make changes. This could result in the need for a deputyship application, which is far more time-consuming, complex, and costly.

Knowing that your LPA is registered and ready to go provides reassurance to both you and your attorneys. It ensures everything is in place and avoids unnecessary stress or delays during difficult times.

For advice tailored to your circumstances, contact us today – we’re here to help you plan with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Get in touch.