A welcomed change from the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) was announced recently and now simplifies the process of informing them of a death.
Previously, the duty to notify the OPG if the donor, attorney, replacement attorney, deputy appointed by the Court of Protection, High Court appointed guardian or missing person had passed away would be done in writing by quoting the case reference number, full name, last known address and DOB. A certified copy of the death certificate would also need to be sent to the OPG as proof.
What’s the change?
The OPG can now verify deaths by using the Post Office (HMPO) Life Event Verification system. This means there is no longer a requirement for the death certificate to be sent to the OPG unless specifically requested by them.
The OPG still need to be notified of the death and this can be done by telephone, email or letter. The original Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) would also need to be returned so that it can be cancelled or updated accordingly.
Once the OPG receive this notification along with the returned document, they will use the Post Office (HMPO) Life Event Verification system to verify the death and then write to acknowledge this.
You can read the OPG’s updated practice note by clicking here.
