What is the ‘Use an LPA’ service?
Once a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) has been formally registered by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), both donors and attorneys can set up an online account to allow approved organisations to view the LPA details digitally.
This system is known as “Use an LPA” and it allows a donor or attorney to authorise banks, healthcare companies etc to have secure access the LPA online. This saves the attorneys taking an original or certified copy of the LPA to the bank or organisation personally.
Who can register the LPA online?
The donor and each attorneys can set up their own online account. You may be an attorney for more than one donor, so you can access all the LPAs relevant to you on your personal account.
Does anybody bother to register the LPA online?
Yes! The OPG report that since the launch of the digital service in 2020, over two million LPAs have been uploaded to the system.
At Boston Spa Legal, we recommend to all donors and attorneys that they register the LPA online. It is straightforward to do and the system is constantly improving as more organisations get used to the service,
How do I get started with ‘Use an LPA’?
Once your LPA is registered, you’ll receive an activation key and an LPA reference number. If needed, you can request a new activation key through the Use an LPA platform. Link to the full guidance is here.
After logging in, users can link their LPA to the account. A secure access code can then be generated and shared with selected organisations to allow them to view a summary of the LPA. The platform also tracks which organisations have accessed the details.
Philip Williams of Boston Spa Legal comments:
“I am regularly appointed as a professional attorney, as well as being an attorney for my family members. I have found the ‘Use an LPA’ service to be simple and time-saving, compared to the older, more manual processes of arranging a certified copy that requires every single page to be stamped and signed as certified. LPA forms are at least 20 pages long, so this certifying process takes ages and requires significant amounts of paper! A bonus of the digital system is the platform log system that shows me which organisations have seen the LPA summary. I highly recommend registering LPAs online.”
Can I register older LPAs?
This online service is available for all LPAs registered on or after 1 January 2016.
How do I find out more information?
Link to the full guidance on the gov.uk website is here.
For any enquiries about preparing or managing a Lasting Power of Attorney, please contact us for a free initial chat.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered legal advice.
