Lasting Power of Attorney

[MarthaLuna]

Can anyone please advise on the fees for setting up a LPA online? They are usually somewhere in the region of £80'ish each.

My wife wants to do one for Health and another for Property. She receives no benefits, her only income is her State Pension so total income is less than £12500 per annum. In light of this, what does she have to pay for each LPA?

Many thanks.

[BazzaS]

Have you completed all the forms?

https://www.lastingpowerofattorney.service.gov.uk/guide#topic-fees-reductions-and-exemptions

Explains what remissions are available and how to get the required certificate 

[MarthaLuna]

Many thanks. So looking at that as she only receives a state pension of less than £12k she is eligible to pay half the fee being £41 per LPA.

As she only receives a State Pension, what proof of low income can she give them. Will a letter suffice explaining that this is her only income?

[BazzaS]

That webpage literally states what you need to send (for each of the scenarios where remission, reduction or exemption applies)

so, as an example (for low income)

<Quote>

Proof of low income

You have to send OPG documents that prove the donor has a low income.

For example, you could send photocopies of:

3 months' consecutive wage slips or a P60

statements from a pension provider

a recent tax return if the donor is self-employed

statements or vouchers showing interest from capital, stocks, shares or bonds

You can also send an official letter or notice from the payer of non-means-tested benefits.

The documents you send must:

include the donor’s title and full name

include the donor’s address including postcode

be from, or cover, the current tax year - tax years run from 6 April one year to 5 April the next year

If the donor does not have any income, you have to send OPG a signed statement from the donor explaining how the donor supports themselves.

<End quote>

[MarthaLuna]

None of that applies to someone only in receipt of a state pension though. What proof does she get? Nothing apart from her pension paid straight into her bank. As I stated previously she does NOT get any benefits. So I ask again, what proof can she give?

Edited July 21, 2023 by MarthaLuna

[BazzaS]

If she has documentary evidence of the state pension: that.
if you are worried that you don't have documentation : contact the OPG (details are on that webpage) for advice.

[MarthaLuna]

Yeah I tried phoning them today, after spending two hours being told I am number one in the queue I gave up!

[honeybee13]

I don't think you've said how long your wife's state pension has been in payment. My understanding is that they send out an annual statement early in the year confirming the amount of pension payable for the next 12 months.

HB

[MarthaLuna]

No I didn't. She started receiving it in June this year. In that case are you saying that the letter she received in March stating how much she would get would be the proof they require?

[honeybee13]

I don't have personal experience of this but Bazza's link looks pretty detailed. Otherwise, sadly you may need to speak to the OPG office.

HB