British adults who have registered a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) at some point within the last four years could be entitled to a partial refund on any fees paid to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), it has emerged.
In recent days, the OPG has confirmed that it will be issuing partial refunds to individuals who were ‘overcharged’ when setting up either an LPA or an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017.
The news comes shortly after the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) revealed that the OPG failed to pass on a reduction in its operating costs to those setting up LPAs and EPAs during this time.
Individuals affected would have paid £110 in fees during the period, as the OPG did not reduce its fees to £82 until 1 April 2017.
According to Which? magazine, approximately two million Britons have been overcharged.
Those due refunds should note that only the person who paid for the initial LPA or EPA application – and not the person who was appointed as an attorney – will receive the refund, which will be paid with 0.5 per cent interest.
The claim can be put in by either the donor or the attorney, but the fees must be refunded directly back to the donor, the OPG has said.
Those who wish to make a claim can visit the GOV.UK website to claim online here or contact the OPG on 0300 456 0300.