How to register an EPA
Contents
Give notice of intention to register
Before registration of an enduring power of attorney (EPA) can proceed, notice must be given to everyone requiring notice under Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Enduring Powers of Attorney (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. For more information, read the article on giving notice.
Register an enduring power of attorney
Only the attorney(s) in an EPA (or a person acting on behalf of an attorney) can register the document.
To register an EPA, you must submit the document 'EP2 - Registration of an EPA (Northern Ireland)' to the Office of Care and Protection (OCP).
You must send Form EP2 to the OCP as soon as possible after serving the last notice.
If there are multiple attorneys
If there is more than one attorney listed in the EPA, it is important to check how they have been appointed to act, as they may need to apply together to register the EPA.
Attorneys may be appointed to act in any one of the following ways:
1. Jointly
This also means 'together'. This means that all the attorneys must apply to register the EPA. Where the attorneys have been appointed to act jointly, the EPA will fail to have any further effect if one of the original attorneys become unable or unwilling to act. If this happens, the EPA can no longer be used, unless replacement attorneys are specified in the EPA to replace all the original attorneys.
2. Jointly and severally
This also means 'together and independently'. This means that the attorneys can act jointly, having all agreed on a particular action to be taken, or they can make decisions without consulting each other. If the attorneys are appointed like this, they don't all have to apply together to register the EPA, although they may choose to do so. However, if they don't all apply together, notice of the intention to register the EPA must be given to any non-applying co-attorneys using form EP1. The non-applying co-attorneys then have the opportunity to object to the registration. Where the attorneys have been appointed to act in this manner, there is no risk that the EPA would fail if one of the original attorneys becomes unable or unwilling to act as an attorney.
When to register the document
As soon as the attorney(s) have reason to believe that the donor is losing or has already lost their mental capacity, they have a duty to register the EPA with the OCP.
When the document comes into effect
Unless an EPA specifies otherwise, the EPA will come into effect as soon as it is properly signed. You can specify that an EPA will not come into effect unless you become mentally incapable.
Fees
There is a fee payable when you apply to register an EPA. The applicable fees may change annually. You should always check the current applicable fee with the OCP before submitting your application.
The fee is normally payable out of the estate of the donor. In cases of hardship the Office will consider requests to postpone fees, or even to say they need not be paid at all.