I have been helping an elderly neighbour with his property/financial affairs over the last few years and he now wants to appoint me as his Attorney in a Lasting Power of Attorney. Should I let his relatives know what is being proposed?
It is a requirement when granting a Lasting Power of Attorney that the document is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian and it is a specific requirement that the Donor’s next of kin are notified. This enables the next of kin to lodge any objections should they object to what is being proposed.
It is, therefore, no longer possible for Lasting Powers of Attorney to exist without the immediate next of kin being notified of the Donor’s intention to register the same with the Office of the Public Guardian.