A Lasting Power of Attorney can’t be registered and used immediately and the amount of time you might have to wait can change.

The current waiting time to register a Lasting Power of Attorney is 12 weeks.

The Office of the Public Guardian must check the application to make sure there are no problems. There is also a three week period when people who have been notified have a chance to object to the Lasting Power of Attorney.

The Office of the Public Guardian charges £130 to register each Power of Attorney.

An attorney can only use a Lasting Power of Attorney once it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. A health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney can only be used once the donor (the person needing help) is unable to make their own decisions.