Are you acting as a Deputy as you may have been overcharged?
Between 1st April 2008 and 31st March 2015 the Office of the Public Guardian (“OPG”) in England and Wales overcharged thousands of people for its supervisory service. This was due to the fact that there were a great number of deputyships during that period but unfortunately the OPG failed to revise their estimates in connection with the cost of supervision. This meant that they continued to charge higher fees than were necessary. Since April 2015, when the fees were revised, clients have not been overcharged with the current assessment fee being £100 and the annual fee for supervision at £320.
There are therefore refunds owed to over 80,000 people, the majority being less than £200 (and the Ministry of Justice have advised that interest is added at 0.5%). According to Moneysavingexpert website, the total owed back to Deputies is around £20M with the average refund being £240 so it pays to claim, if you think that you may have been overcharged.
If Deputies are still acting under a current Court Order then they will receive a refund automatically, without needing to apply. The deadline for refund claims is 4th October 2022.
Please contact our expert Wills, Trusts & Probate lawyers on 01202 525333 or visit their page here.
How can we help?
When you submit this form an email will be sent to the relevant department who will contact you within 48 hours. If you require urgent advice please call 01202 525333.
