Most Asked Questions
Warning signs can include:
- Secrecy about finances
- Sudden changes in spending
- Isolation of the donor from relatives
- Unpaid care fees or bills
Families should maintain open communication.
Attorneys should be transparent and willing to explain decisions.
If something feels wrong, it is better to raise concerns early rather than ignore them.
Safeguarding concerns can be raised with:
- The Office of the Public Guardian
- The local authority safeguarding team
- The police in cases of suspected fraud or theft
The Office of the Public Guardian has the power to investigate attorneys.
They can request financial records and freeze decisions while enquiries are ongoing.
Safeguarding is built into the UK Lasting Power of Attorney system.
A quicker, safer and simpler way to create your Lasting Power of Attorney.
All People to Notify and Raising Concern questions
Warning signs can include:
- Secrecy about finances
- Sudden changes in spending
- Isolation of the donor from relatives
- Unpaid care fees or bills
Families should maintain open communication.
Attorneys should be transparent and willing to explain decisions.
If something feels wrong, it is better to raise concerns early rather than ignore them.
Safeguarding concerns can be raised with:
- The Office of the Public Guardian
- The local authority safeguarding team
- The police in cases of suspected fraud or theft
The Office of the Public Guardian has the power to investigate attorneys.
They can request financial records and freeze decisions while enquiries are ongoing.
Safeguarding is built into the UK Lasting Power of Attorney system.
Financial abuse may include:
- Unexplained withdrawals
- Large gifts outside normal patterns
- Mixing personal and donor funds
- Selling property without clear reason
Attorneys must keep clear financial records.
Banks may monitor unusual transactions.
The Office of the Public Guardian can request accounts and investigate concerns.
Early reporting prevents further harm.
If you believe an LPA is being misused, you can contact the Office of the Public Guardian.
You can report concerns about:
- Financial abuse
- Undue pressure
- Lack of mental capacity at the time of signing
- Attorneys acting outside their authority
Concerns can be raised online or by phone.
In serious cases, the Court of Protection may become involved.
When applying to register the Lasting Power of Attorney, the Office of the Public Guardian sends formal notice to the named individuals.
They are given a short window to object.
This is part of the statutory registration process in England and Wales.
If no objections are raised, registration continues.
Choose people who:
- Know the donor well
- Would speak up if something felt wrong
- Are independent from the appointed attorneys
- Understand family dynamics
Avoid naming someone who may create unnecessary conflict.
The goal is protection, not dispute.
When creating a UK Lasting Power of Attorney, the donor can choose to notify people before it is registered.
This is a safeguard.
It allows trusted individuals to raise concerns if they believe the donor is under pressure or lacks mental capacity.
Notifying people adds transparency to the process.
It helps protect vulnerable donors from financial abuse or coercion.
You can notify anyone you trust.
Common choices include:
- Adult children
- Close relatives
- Long standing friends
- Trusted advisers
The person notified does not gain control.
They simply have the right to raise concerns with the Office of the Public Guardian during the registration period.
Choose people who understand the donor’s situation and would act responsibly.
