A power of attorney is a legal document that lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you can’t. There are ways to change a power of attorney even after registering it.
Download How to make and register a power of attorneyOpens in a new window (PDF, 646KB)
It’s important that you don’t make changes to the power of attorney document itself, as this might make it invalid.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
If you or your attorney changes name or address, you must tell the:
In England and Wales, if you wish to register to use your lasting power of attorney online, double check that the attorney's addresses are accurate. This is because activation codes will be sent to the current address on the lasting power of attorney record.
You must provide proof of your new name or the attorney’s new name like:
If it’s an address change you don’t need to send any supporting documents.
You must notify:
You’ll also need to send certified copies of the power of attorney.
If the attorney died outside the UK, include a copy of the death certificate.
Your power of attorney will be cancelled if:
Your power of attorney will be updated:
You must include a return address when you send back your power of attorney.
As long as you still have mental capacity, you can remove an attorney at any time.
For instructions on amending or removing a power of attorney:
If you want to add another attorney, you’ll need to end your power of attorney and make a new one.
As long as you still have mental capacity, you can cancel a power of attorney at any time.
For instructions on cancelling a lasting power of attorney:
Your attorney must:
If they don’t do these things, find out what to do in your country.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
You can:
In your report, include:
If you don’t have all this information, you can still report a concern.
After you make your report, the Office of the Public Guardian will then check if it has the legal authority to investigate.
You can:
You will need to explain why you think your/the donor’s property and/or financial affairs is at risk.
You can write to, email or call the Office of Care and Protection.
You will need to explain why you think your/the donor’s property and/or financial affairs is at risk.
If you need help in addressing concerns with your appointed attorney, using a solicitor can be useful.
You can find a qualified solicitor in your area by searching the directories provided by the UK’s law societies:
Financial abuse can be when someone:
