YOU COULD BE ENTITLED TO AN LPA REFUND

There is good news if you registered a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2017, as you could be entitled to a refund of up to £54.

The Government has just launched a scheme where those who paid a registration fee for an LPA or Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) can apply for a partial refund.

The reason is those who registered LPAs/EPAs during this period were charged higher Court fees than were necessary, as the operating costs of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) were reduced, but the fee remained the same at £110. Consequently, the Government is willing to make partial refunds, which will be anywhere between £34 to £54 per Court fee paid.

The application fee for registering an LPA was reduced from £110 to £82 on April 1, 2017.

An LPA is a legal document where you give someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity in the future or if you are worried about managing your affairs in the future. This person is known as an Attorney.

There are two different types of LPA. One of them covers decisions about your property and finances, and the other covers decisions about your health and welfare.

If you have registered both types of LPA you may be able to claim for each one.

You can make a claim if you were either the person who made the LPA or the Attorney.

Making a claim should be quick and simple by visiting www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund

There is also a dedicated helpline which you can use by calling 0300 456 0300. Select option six to be put through refunds team.

Lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm.

Click here to find out more about our Wills and Probate services.