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Just to clarify for the "get a power of attorney online and the OPG will help you" brigade.

You can fill the forms in, and the helpline will give you help in doing so. Saying that if you need help filling the forms in - given that the forms merely consist of boxes asking for names, addresses, signatures and restrictions on the attorney's powers - you probably shouldn't be applying in the first place.

What legal advice does the helpline give? Can it explain whether you need a will and when the power will become actionable? Does the helpline advise you whether to register the power now, or wait until it is needed and nominate persons to notify?

How does the helpline cope when in fact it isn't Mrs Enid Bloggs who has decided she wants an LPA in case she gets diagnosed with dementia, but in fact Danny - her son - is on the verge of bankruptcy as his property development business isn't doing well, with finance problems. All Danny needs is mum's money for a bit - and he'll get it anyway won't he - but just better to make sure nobody tells his siblings.

"Here mum, just sign this - it's so I can collect your pension for you from the post office when you go for your hospital appointment next week"

Or the classic that I see quite a lot - "me Dad's got dementia and we've been advised by the care home we need a power of eternity to close his bank accounts".

Two more points. The OPG helpline isn't free. Somebody pays for it. Secondly, I can't imagine many solicitors charging £250 per hour for an LPA - more likely £250 - £350 fixed fee all in.