Changes to OPG fees

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which deals with the registration of lasting and enduring powers of attorney, has published changes to its fees which will come into force from the 1 October. This follows a consultation that was launched on 28 February and ran until 21 May 2011.  

The changes are as follows:

·         An increase in the LPA/EPA Application to Register fee from £120 to £130.

·         The introduction of a new ‘Repeat Application Fee’ of £65 each time an LPA is resubmitted to the OPG within 3 months of the invalid application being sent back to the applicant.

·         The cessation of the production of LPA office copies by the OPG, except in extreme and limited circumstances, and for a fee of £35.

·         The removal of the Application to search the Registers fee.

·         The replacement of Type 1, 2A and 2 supervision fees with a flat fee of £320.

·         The introduction of an administration fee of £35 (to which exemptions will be available) for those requiring the minimal level of supervision.

·         The rise of the maximum threshold of capital for those cases qualifying for minimal supervision from £16,000 to £21,000 over a period of 4 years.

·         The introduction of a new Fee Remissions policy of 50% for those who have a gross income of up to £12,000.

·         The renaming of a number of OPG Fees in order to make it clearer what they cover.