Filling in the COP form.

[Rodger]

Is there a place to go to for examples for a Deputyship Order when filling in the COP forms?

I am trying to fill in COP1 and wonder if anyone knows the best words for section 1.6 "If you are applying in a representitive capacity, please state what that capacity is.".

And 5.1 "Please stae the matter you want the court to decide?".
And 5.2 "Please state the order your are asking the court to make?".

I think the answer to 5.2 is "Please provide me with a Deputyship Order." but not sure.

Advice appreciated. PS. we are not looking for a Welfare order just financial affairs and mother has no property and is on benefits so we want to close her utility accounts and manage what little money she has in the bank.

[nitram]

Before you go down this route think about being a DWP Appointee

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...fits/DG_199109

A DWP representative will call and help you fill in
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/app-01.pdf

[jenniferpa]

The problem with an Appointee situation it doesn't give you any ability to deal with existing accounts, just state benefits and pensions. It can be a very useful facility but it isn't always suitable.

I'm not aware of any pre-filled in examples but a couple of posters have successfully done this themselves - hopefully they will chime in.

[angelface]

Hi Rodger,
it does look as tho' you don't need deputyship, as it is expensive, and also the courts make you put up an insurance bond (for a few hundred pounds). Also it takes 21 weeks for it to go through the courts and be approved.

If you phone the DWP to become an appointee, someone will come out and interview you in 3/4 weeks. We had our interview for my aunt this week. I was very nervous, but the interviewer was very nice, there were no problems at all.

If there is a bank account, if you could be named on the account, then you could operate it without going to the courts. Try hard not to mention your mum having dementia. The solicitor had to mention it to the bank and so on, as we are going through the COP process. As soon as they knew, bank account and pension got frozen, whcih makes it all very interersting.

G

[jenniferpa]

If you're suggesting getting put on an existing bank account as a third party then you normally have to turn up at the bank to sign the forms, and it does sound as if this wouldn't be possible.

I would hesitate to suggest doing anything that could be open to misinterpretation, particularly if there is a potentially a date with the COP in your future: attempting to get around the banking regulations and getting caught out will not look good when it comes to such an application.

As an appointee you could (in fact should) start a new account and have any pensions paid into that, but you would be unable to access an existing account without third party access (or a registered LPA or deputyship order).

How coherent is your mother? If by utilities you mean people like gas and electric, if you can place a phone call for her and she is able to answer the questions they ask (even with prompting) she may be able to verbally authorize you to deal with her accounts.

[Jancis]

Hi Rodger,
As others have suggested you may not need to go down the Deputyship route but if you do, here's some answers to your questions regarding COP1 form.

Re: 1.6: As you are a relative then you only need to fill in the first box. The second box is for representatives e.g. solicitors or social services.

Re: 5.1: Have you checked out the Guidance Notes at the back of the COP1 form? Note 4 is helpful regarding this. If the examples given don't help then let us know more about this.

Re: 5.2: (see Guidance Note 5). I think you need to give a little more explanation about your wishes ... something like "I wish the Court to award me the deputyship in order that I can manage my mother's financial assets in order that her utility accounts etc are paid. The more information you can give the better.

Good luck with this and let us know what you decide and how you get on.
Jancis

[Saffie]

I have carried out my Deputyship application for my husband myself. Some of the questions can be confusing but if in any doubt at all, just ring up the COP for advice. i found them very helpful.

[Saffie]

Sorry duplicated

[Jancis]

Saffie is right the COP are very helpful although in my case I found it difficult to get through to them at times. I appointed a solicitor to help me and that was a complete waste of money. I could have done with a bit of hand holding but hadn't discovered TP

[Rodger]

Thanks, after reading all your responses I do see I need to continue with the COP. I now await someone at the hospital to sign the COP3. It's a nightmare dealing with an organisation that's understaffed and apparently chaotic. They lost the form once and now we are putting pressure on for them to complete it! They also wanted (don't know who) £50 to complete it. Nearly there! Fingers crossed!