LPAs – The Importance of Getting Them Right

Carly Jeffery – Solicitor | 7th November 2022

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) have recently been hotly in the spotlight following the controversial storyline on Coronation Street.

Whilst the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) (the body responsible for the registration of management of the LPA registry) have responded to some of the issues on their social media; if you are thinking of making an LPA it is important to make sure you are getting it right.

LPAs have become increasingly popular since they were first introduced in 2009 to replace Enduring Powers of Attorney. They are used to give others authority to make decisions and act on your behalf both in relation to financial affairs and health and welfare decisions.

LPAs have particular rules in relation to how they are completed and what to do if you make a mistake. 

Which? FOI requests showed that 22,000 LPAs are rejected by the OPG each year, two every hour.  In some circumstances, this means the whole or part of the document would need to be done again.

With Registration times now increased to up to 20 weeks for registration; the risk of a mistake or other issue with an LPA can make the difference between someone being able to fulfil their wish of creating an effective LPA and being unable to if their circumstances change in this time.

Our Private Client Team can support and guide you through the process and avoid many common pitfalls when making LPAs.

For more information, you can contact our specialist solicitors Vicky Bligh and Carly Jeffery.