Guide to Preparing a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

When your Steele Rose Consultant visits you to take your instructions he will explain the benefits of an LPA and ask you to provide the details required to prepare a document that meets your future requirements. Upon his return he will explain the form (printed to include the details you have provided) and supervise the signing and witnessing procedures.

Your Consultant has been fully trained in the preparation of LPAs and may also act as your Certificate Provider and must ask you questions to confirm that you fully understand the purpose and implications of the document. Normally there should be no other person present during this process.

Your Attorney(s) are required to complete part C of the LPA and if they are not present at the time of the visit, your Consultant will leave your LPA with you so that you may arrange for completion of this part of the form. He will also provide a freepost envelope so that the LPA may be returned to Steele Rose for storage and/or checking. There is only provision on the LPA form for two Attorneys and one substitute, IF more Attorneys are required their details may be included on continuation sheets, however each sheet must be signed by the Donor.

Although an LPA may not be used until it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) it does not have to be registered until it is required (the OPG normally require a registration fee of up to £120 from 1 April 2009), however it is important to remember that registration requires the notification of nominated individual(s) listed in your LPA and will typically take six weeks or more to complete. If you wish, Steele Rose will prepare the registraion documents for an additional fee. A Personnel Welfare LPA may not be used (even if it has been registered) until the donor is incapable of making decisions for themselves.

Other documents including information and guidance for Donors, Attorneys and Witnesses are available from the OPG.

Steele Rose & Co Limited are Members of and regulated by the Society of Will Writers, Corporate

Members of the Institute of Paralegals and appointed Will Writers for the Forces Pension Society.

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