trying to sort out LPA. Bit confused how it helps with things like council tax. Do you just keep sending the document, or certified copy, to various institutions? Also what happens after that, if we use council tax as an example, does that mean they will only deal with me and not mum?
Basically, you show the LPA document to every bank and building society, they photocopy, and thereafter will deal with you. My solicitor advised not to try both of us dealing with the same bank "they get confused" - but that was 10 years ago, they may be a bit better now.
Council tax I haven't had a problem - I said who I was, who I was phoning on behalf of, and they were happy to talk to me. I'd be inclined, wherever possible, to simply get your mother to sign a letter authorising the institution to talk to you. Often, all you need, is to have her in the same room as you to authorise them over the phone to talk to you - that works with HMRC, for example. But a letter to be added to her file works better if you anticipate frequent phone calls.
GP required a letter and now will talk to me about my father and has given my on-line access to his medical records. They didn't need to see the LPA - which in any case would have been pointless as it's the Health and Welfare one which is relevant, and that can't be activated until the person has lost capacity.
So in summary
I don't post certified copies - too precious to lose
I use LPA for financial institutions where my father wants me to take complete control
Wherever possible I use authorisation (by phone or letter) from my father rather than LPA.