Did you pay to register a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in England or Wales between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017? If so, under a new Government scheme you are owed a refund of up to £54.

The scheme offers fee refunds on both types of Power of Attorney, so if you and your partner made four between you, you could be eligible for a refund of up to £216 plus interest.

Why am I getting a refund?
Between 2013 and 2017, the operating costs of the Office of the Public Guardian decreased, but the application fee stayed at £110. The fee is only supposed to cover costs, so the Government is repaying the difference back to applicants.

How do I claim?
You must be either the person who made the Power of Attorney, or the appointed attorney in an LPA or EPA to make a claim – although either way the money will be refunded back to be person who made the Power of Attorney. You can claim a refund even if the Power of Attorney has been used, and there’s currently no deadline by which you must apply.

To make a claim, either call 0300 456 0300 (choose option 6) or visit https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney-refund

If you have not made a Power of Attorney yet, or would like more information regarding how they work, please contact the Forrester Sylvester Mackett Private Client team at any of our five offices.