Significant delays in Power of Attorney registrations at Office of the Public Guardian
The benefits of a Lasting Power of Attorney are significant. We have written many articles about the importance of the two Lasting Powers of Attorneys, and the peace of mind they can give to those who have them drawn up and registered.
It is because of this that we have seen an increase in demand, with many clients choosing to take the (very wise) step to request that we draw up Lasting Powers of Attorneys (LPAs). These important documents give legal rights to your chosen individuals to handle your finances and make difficult decisions should you be unable to do so yourself.
Before LPAs can be used, it is a legal requirement that they must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The OPG has struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic to turn around registrations and has just announced that these delays have been extended even further, with estimates that the average registration time for each LPA application will now be around 20 weeks.
Our advice to anyone thinking of establishing a Power of Attorney is to do it sooner rather than later so that everything is completed well in advance of it being needed. There is a real risk that a five month delay could really cause issues for your family should they need to act quickly.
If you would like to draw up an LPA or have any questions about the benefits of such a document, then call GA Solicitors’ experienced wills, trusts and probate team today on 01752 203500. Alternatively, you can email us via enquiries@GAsolicitors.com.
