gerrie ley hi,
Just read your post - wanted to say a while ago I got PofA over my wife's affairs... It really is a very simple DIY process... The government help line and web site make it pretty easy and will send you the required forms and help booklet. It appears solicitors frequently do not understand the illness or the law in respect of AD sufferers and are more of a very expensive hindrance than a help at a stressful time...
http://www.guardianship.gov.uk/theservice/enduringpower.htm is the web site - the telephone help line is friendly and understanding.
The basic form has to be signed by the sufferer and by the person making out the form and a witness... These two people merely have to state that at that 'moment in time' the sufferer understands what they are signing... What the sufferer understands 5 minutes later or or 5 days later is irrelevant. There is no requirement for any medical certificate what so ever.
Having filled out and got the signatures on this form it is not necessary to do anything further until you are sure the sufferer has not got the ability to run their own affairs - again this can be one hour - week month or year later...
At that point you have to inform the sufferers nearest relatives - on a special form - that you art taking enduring power of attorney. You need at the same time to register the original form.. These are the safe guards - the close relatives can object or not to you taking over.... You are legally responsible to the court to conduct the financial affairs of the sufferer in their best interest....
I have made it all sound complicated - it is not - very simple process and solicitors are absolutely not required. The government department has set the system up to help ordinary people like you and I create PofA's easily.
regards
Michael