Health & Welfare LPA

[NetZeroZealot]

For those of you who have set this up for your elderly parent (s) who did you use as the certificate provider?

Family friend, solicitor or GP?

Does it make much difference?

Thank you.

old friends, who’d known them for years.

I’d only look at using a solicitor if I thought there might be issues such as challenges from other family members.

In one case the person concerned had already been diagnosed with dementia, but was, in all our opinions (including the GP), still competent enough to know what she was doing. The GP was advising her and us to get it done asap. I think we might have had more issues using a solicitor who didn’t know her. And the old friend (who’d known her over 50 years) also knew that we weren’t stepping in over other family or friends.

My parents got both types of LPA done via a solicitor as a bundle at the same time as they updated their wills

My parents got theirs done alongside the financial ones by their solicitor, all we had to do was sign. I'm not sure how much it cost but it was very straightforward.

I used an old friend who had known my mum for 60 years.

DM died about 12 months after we got it sorted and I was so glad we'd done it. eight months later she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. At one point she had a stroke and I had to make a very difficult decision about having end of life palliative care at home only rather than aggressive stroke treatment in hospital. We'd been able to have a conversation about this before she became unconscious and I was sure I was doing the right thing though it was still obviously very hard. It made it so much easier dealing with paramedics and out of hours GP.

We did it all online only paying the costs to OPG. It was fiddly but not that difficult.

I used a solicitor. It was £700 for both. Money well spent.

Friend of many years standing who is also a lecturer in law.

Thanks, this is all helpful. I can do the forms myself. Solicitor is expensive for certificate provider and suggested asking GP. I’m just thinking as a professional that may be more efficient than family friend. And I think my father is a bit anxious & would be reassured. But haven’t checked with them yet. We had been expecting for a dementia diagnosis for Mum but hasn’t come yet but although she has capacity now I think she’s going downhill quite fast.

A friend. We did all the forms ourselves. If they get guaranteed pension credit they don't have to pay.

It’s so so easy to do it yourself and a fraction of the cost.

I’ve done mine using Zenco, nominating DS2, who is a chartered accountant in 5 minutes £99
No need for a solicitor as it’s all registered with the official guardian automatically

My question isn’t about doing the forms, I know I can do those myself.
It is about who to use as the certificate provider which cannot be a family member.

Who was the certificate provider?

Used my mother in laws neighbour, who she'd known for 30 years

I think you might find the GP is unwilling to do it. It's worth asking, but I wouldn't bank on it. If you want a professional I'd ask a solicitor.

The certificate provider needs to ensure your mother understands what she is signing, so if there is a friend/neighbour who fits the bill, ask them. I'm not really clear what your father is anxious about?

Next door neighbour was fine.

For DM I used my best friend who has known her since we were 11.

A family friend (a retired accountant)

Solicitor. But purely because A) I wanted to protect my lpa holder from an accusations. B) I have very specific requests written in, which I wanted to be cast iron see previous point. C) no one else available.

Blimey that’s a lot! Unless they had a complicated set of finances and health issues. My MIL paid £164 all in.

My MILs friend of many years was the CP

My DF updated his will after DM died. It was the solicitor that suggested POA and they included that service when they did the will. Probably not the cheapest option but everything was completed and they acted as witnesses. I am so glad it’s all done. I had
mentioned previously it would be a good idea but he was much more receptive when the solicitor suggested it.

I didn't find the £700 onerous tbh. My mum was just on the cusp of having capacity, it was 2021 so getting anyone medical to do the certificate was impractical, and it involved liaising with my siblings both of who were abroad! I wanted the reassurance that it had all been done independently and there was no duress!
Me and dh have done our own!

Used dd’s un married partner for my mum, he came to home to chat and sign . No problem

An old friend of my mum’s.

i did Mum’s last year. My daughters partner filled role and he came into the care home to talk to Mum and make sure she understood as aged 92