WillsPowers of Attorney Act 2023 – Upcoming Changes to Lasting Powers of Attorney

Following a consultation by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and the Ministry of Justice in July2021 and the Government’s response in May 2022 on modernising Lasting Powers of Attorney, the Powers of Attorney Act 2023 has now been passed.

The Act will allow for the OPG to introduce a new digital process and an improved paper application system. Requirements to verify the identity as part of the registration process will also be introduced along with amending how people can object to a registration.

It is still unknown the exact date when the Act will come into force as the OPG are still working on the digital system. Until then the current system will continue to apply.

Chris Rattigan-Smith