The Office of the Public Guardian announced on Tuesday that it is to increase fees for registering Lasting Power of Attorneys.
Further that it is to limit those who will be eligible for an exemption or a remission of fees. It announced that it will now only provide official copies of Lasting Powers of Attorney in exceptional circumstances and at a cost of £35 each.
Lasting Powers of Attorney enable a person to appoint in advance people they trust to manage their property and finance.
Making Lasting Powers of Attorney can be vital in preventing financial abuse and obtaining access to vital access to services if a person becomes frail or loses capacity. This increase in fees will mean that the costs of making and registering Lasting of Powers of Attorney will greatly increase. Those receiving modest incomes who would previously been eligible for an exemption or remission of fees will be particularly hard hit.
In a surprise move the Office of the Public Guardian stated that the increase in fees will take affect from the 1st October 2011. This leaves very little time for those needing to make Lasting Powers of Attorney to take the correct advice and make arrangements for a Lasting Power of Attorney to be signed and submitted for registration.
Anyone who is thinking of making a Lasting Power of Attorney and wishing to avoid the increase in fees will need to take action without delay.
Contact Claire Davis, Head of Probate Department at Howells Solicitors today on 01633 227960 to discuss your Lasting Power of Attorney. As Claire is the National Director of Solicitors for the Elderly, you will be in safe hands.