Years ago, I was regularly called upon to make a certified copy Power of Attorney to exhibit to banks and other organisations in order to prove that the attorneys had authority to act and to run the donor’s affairs. However, times have moved on and these days that is almost never necessary.
One reason for this is that a new online system has been introduced by the Office of the Public Guardian for attorneys to notify organisations such as banks that they are planning to use lasting powers of attorney. Nowadays, when an LPA is activated using an activation key, organisations are authorised online to deal with the attorneys by the Office of the Public Guardian, rather than using a certified copy power of attorney.
That said, many clients like the idea of having a certified copy or two of their LPAs on paper, just in case it ever comes in useful and avoids the need to entrust such important documents to the post. That can be done be a solicitor or a notary, but much more conveniently and cost-effectively, you can also do it yourself. As long as you have mental capacity, you can certify as many copies of your LPAs as you like, using the following method:
- Write on the bottom of every page of the photocopy:
“I certify this is a true and complete copy of the corresponding page of the original lasting power of attorney.”
2. On the final page of the photocopy, write:
“I certify this is a true and complete copy of the lasting power of attorney.”
3. Sign and date every page of the photocopy.
Arguably, the best approach is to make several certified copies of your registered powers of attorney as soon as you receive them, and then they are ready if you ever need them.
Chiltern Wills is a Will writing business based in Beaconsfield and run by former London solicitor Rebecca D’Arcy. For a free initial chat about how Chiltern Wills can help with your Will, Lasting Power of Attorney or probate, call us on 01494 708688 or email info@chilternwills.com.
