A new online service was launched on the 17th July 2020 whereby attorneys will find it easier to manage and safeguard the donor’s finances and wellbeing.
The Office of the Public Guardian’s new digital service will help attorneys to contact organisations such as banks and healthcare providers more easily by improving the speed that the attorneys can act and make important decisions. By improving the current paper-based process, the attorneys will no longer need to deal with various documents being requested and confirming between organisations, before having to post the physical copies of the documents.
The new system will allow the attorneys to provide a secure code, which will need to be submitted to the online portal https://www.gov.uk/use-lasting-power-of-attorney to confirm their status as an attorney and the power that they hold. By submitting their secure code, it provides authorisation for the attorney to manage the affairs on the donor’s behalf.
The newly developed digital service is available to newly registered LPA documents from the 17th July 2020. The online tool maintains all existing checks, including the ability to confirm whether someone has the legal right to act as an attorney to ensure the vulnerable and elderly are protected from any potential abuse of an LPA.
When using the online ‘Use a Lasting Power of Attorney’ service, you will need to create an account where you will be asked to provide the LPA reference number, which is found on the registered LPA document. You will then be prompted to input your secure individual code. Once registered on the online portal, the service can be used for the following:
- To allow people or organisations to view a summary of the LPA
- To keep track of which people or organisations have been given access to the LPA
- View a summary of the LPA
The registration process of the LPA document is to remain the same. The original LPA documents that are signed by the donor, attorneys, certificate provider and witnesses, must be submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian for registering by post. The registration process can take between 8-12 weeks from submission of the documents to receiving the fully registered LPA.
Although the newly introduced service only applies to newly registered LPA documents, the Office of the Public Guardian are looking to extend the system to registered LPA’s that are already in place.
For expert help and advice with all aspects of preparing an LPA contact CL Wills & Estate Planning.