UK Enduring Power of Attorney

[following-Him]

I may be being a bit suspicious here but if you got a phone call out of the blue from someone saying he was a long lost cousin and wanting family details, what would you do? The "cousin" said he needs the names first cousins and second cousins. Now to me that seems to be an awful lot of information to be passing on to a stranger. I am no lawyer, just erring on the side of caution. What would you do?

 

[mcdirector]

I wouldn't give them. He should know something about someone besides you and your phone number, shouldn't he?

I'd be suspicious too. If he's genuine, I'd think he'd understand. If he's a crookster, he'll look for another target.

JMHO of course

 

[following-Him]

That's what I tend to think too. Can't be too careful these days.

 

[Jim1999]

It can be very difficult to trace family in the UK. During the early days, people actually lied about who they were during government listings (census). They changed spelling of names, occupations, amd husbands and wives often separated their addresses. Just didn't trust the government.

I can't trace my father's line beyond his mother and one aunt. Afraid I might be asking names as well at times,,,,,,,,,but gave up years ago.

Still, I agree, to err on the side of caution and ask more questions that give information.

Cheers,,,,,,,,,,and hi Sheila,

Jim..originally Sykes-Stevens or variably Sykes or Stevens, and even Stephens,,now try tracing either Sykes or Stevens in Nottingham.....Virtually impossible going back to 1800's.

 

[Matt Black]

A UK lawyer asks: what has this thread got to do with Enduring Powers of Attorney?

 

[following-Him]

A UK lawyer asks: what has this thread got to do with Enduring Powers of Attorney?

The "cousin" said he had been asked by his solicitor to supply names and addresses of the cousins in the family because an application has been made for enduring power of attorney for a relative who is now in a residential home. As this cousin had apparently lost touch with several members of the family our number was obtained somehow and a request made. We tend to err on the side of caution before giving out such details. It is not a situation we have encountered before.

 

[following-Him]

Hi Jim, How are you ? :wavey:

 

[billwald]

If the request is legit it is also pro forma and the last thing the lawyer wants is for there to be relatives in the US. Make him happy and reply that there are none.

 

[abcgrad94]

I'd tell him to have the lawyer contact you and send you the forms to fill out. Make sure you get the name and address of the lawyer and his office so you can verify that it does exist. You can't be too careful.

My dh is one of 3 men who share the same first and last name. We constantly get phone calls from bill collectors for the other two. One bill collector wanted my dh to give his social security number to her to "verify" she had the right person. He refused, and she gave the last 4 digits of the other man's number, which resolved the issue. Also, one of these men has a daughter with MY same name and we go to the same ob/gyn practice. I found this out one day when they informed me I was expecting and I almost had a heart attack from the shock! Of course it was the other lady, not me. :laugh: Talk about confusing!

 

[Jim1999]

Hi Sheila,

I am well, thank you. Still waiting for my eye surgery in Oct....Might get my vision back,,,,look out then,,lol,,may be writing more again.

Cheers, bless,

Jim

 

[Matt Black]

The "cousin" said he had been asked by his solicitor to supply names and addresses of the cousins in the family because an application has been made for enduring power of attorney for a relative who is now in a residential home. As this cousin had apparently lost touch with several members of the family our number was obtained somehow and a request made. We tend to err on the side of caution before giving out such details. It is not a situation we have encountered before.

Hmmm...it's possible that it's genuine then: it sounds to me like the attorney is trying to register the EPA because the donor has lost his/her marbles; as part of the registration process it is usually necessary to give written notice of the application for registration to nearest living relatives (often cousins) and you have to give notice to all relatives in a given class (the minimum number of relatives is three but if one of those is a cousin then you have to give notice to all the cousins), hence the likely reason for the request. You're not obliged to respond, though; the solicitor can simply state on the registration form that the attorney has attempted to trace the rellies and failed.

 

[following-Him]

Thank you Matt. That makes a lot of sense. We have spoken to an aunt who instantly recongised the name of the person even though she hasn't seen him in about 30 years. Still think one needs to be careful in situations like this.
Thanks everyone for your input!:wavey:

 

[blackbird]

It can be very difficult to trace family in the UK. During the early days, people actually lied about who they were during government listings (census). They changed spelling of names, occupations, amd husbands and wives often separated their addresses. Just didn't trust the government.

I can't trace my father's line beyond his mother and one aunt. Afraid I might be asking names as well at times,,,,,,,,,but gave up years ago.

Still, I agree, to err on the side of caution and ask more questions that give information.

Cheers,,,,,,,,,,and hi Sheila,

Jim..originally Sykes-Stevens or variably Sykes or Stevens, and even Stephens,,now try tracing either Sykes or Stevens in Nottingham.....Virtually impossible going back to 1800's.

Here in Alabama----sometimes cousins can slip past the barriers of prohibition and marry each other----thus becoming husband/wife who are kissing cousins---and then the kids are born and some of um go on to play football for the University of Alabama and the others who can't make the football team for various reasons go on to be University of Alabama cheerleaders for various reasons!! Just let your imagination for the various reasons run free!!!

BUT----Blackbird was born and raised in Louisiana---Cajun capitol of the entire world----and we can trace our linage back to at least Adam and Eve!!!!:laugh::laugh:

Following Him-----next time the dude calls----"Click"----hang up!!!

 

[Matt Black]

Mrs Black and I are related - but through both being descended from William the Conqueror's grandfather, so not too incestuous!

 

[blackbird]

Mrs Black and I are related - but through both being descended from William the Conqueror's grandfather, so not too incestuous!

William the Conqueror, huh??

Well----my wifey is kin to Jesse James!!!!!! Tamer of the wild West!!!:tongue3::laugh: