The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is a public body which oversees the way in which attorneys use their powers. Lasting Powers of Attorney need to be registered with the OPG, which charges £82 per deed for registration. The registration process usually takes around 2 months.
What else does the Office of the Public Guardian do?
The OPG also maintains the central registers of attorneys, deputies and guardians. It supervises the deputies and guardians appointed by the courts, ensuring that they carry out their duties correctly.
What if power of attorney is abused?
Part of the role of the OPG is to investigate reports of an attorney, deputy or guardian misusing their powers. If it turns out that the person has abused their powers, this can result in sanctions such as an attorney being asked to pay back money or being removed from office. In the most serious cases, this may be a matter for the police (in the case of a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs) or Social Services (in the case of a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare), depending on the nature of the concerns.
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