Registering an Enduring Power of Attorney

[Amber 5]

Thank you Clive - your information is always very helpful. Its good to hear from someone who has been there and done that!!
Apparently there is something waiting at my mum's house from OPG I think - she says there are lots of things to sign - aaaagh! I'm really hoping that it is in fact the registered LPAs back, not that I've missed something out and have to re-do the lot.

Oh well, I'll find out on Tuesday when I can see for myself. Should be a lot quicker to do the second time around though (if that is the case) as I know a lot more about it now.
Thanks again,
Gill x

 

[Paul C]

Lasting Power of Attorney

Hi,

I am the brother of Greenman who posted his first thread approx. two weeks ago. Although I am an experienced manager, I am in common with my brother, finding the whole process of how best to help my Mum very challenging as the illness progresses. Mum is 79and has what the specialist advises is middle stage Alzheimers. Unfortunately she does not recognise that she has this illness, merely that she is 'forgetful' and has to visit a memory clinic every three months! We also have to consider how to help our Aunt who moved in to support Mum in day to day living when Dad died in 2007.
We have joint Lasting Power of Attorney(LPA),drawn up and witnessed in late 2007 by a local solicitor at reasonable charge. I look after Mum's financial affairs on a day to day basis at her request as I live nearby. Although very 'forgetful' and sometimes having no idea of what day it is, she does know what accounts she has and understands what is happening in them if I sit down with her and show her the pages and write out in longhand what I have done. Unfortunately, she will often not remember any of this ten minutes later!
I have two questions:
1. I have recorded the LPA with Mums bank and insurance companies etc. and these companies have been fine when I have needed to contact them, make transactions etc., but I forgot to record the LPA with National Savings and Investments and they are now insisting on a letter from a GP or consultant to say that she is "able to understand basic financial transactions".
Is this usual or just peculiar to NS&I?
2. When, from experience do contributors think I should register this LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian? Is there anything else I should consider?

I have lots of other questions on support from Social Services etc. etc., but have to start somewhere, yours a worried new bie...

 

[jenniferpa]

Are you saying you're using an LPA (not EPA) without registration? I didn't think that could be done. Is it this thread that has the whole rigmarole about NS & I? I know they're not as easy to deal with. Are you saying that they need a letter saying she IS competent or that she isn't? If its the former, why would they do that since they don't ask that of all other investors. If the latter, a registered LPA will be adequate, but you probably won't get very far until you register it (if it is an LPA).

Sorry if that's confusing.

 

[Amber 5]

LPAs

Hi,
I'm not an expert at all on this, but my understanding is that once you have registered the LPAs you can act on behalf of your mum apart from selling her property or moving her (unless she lacks capacity to make those decisions herself). So you should be able to manage her finances as if you are her!
(However, I have just sent off to register my mum's LPAs as I thought it best to register them asap, but by downloading them online, I totally missed the pack which you need to fill in for actually registering the damn things. So have to do that and send off again).
I haven't yet had experience of banks or NS&I asking for ID, letters or documents yet.
I'm sure someone will be along soon to help you out with that though.
Good Luck, Gill