Attorney Misuse Report to OPG Letter: Free Template and What to Include
How to report suspected misuse of power of attorney to Office of Public Guardian — how to structure it, your rights.
A free fill-in template is at the end of this guide.
← All Letter Guides · Power of Attorney · Last updated 18 August 2026 · Published by UK Work Rights Ltd
This is free rights information, not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, see our About page or contact Citizens Advice.
If you need to report suspected misuse of power of attorney to Office of Public Guardian, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong attorney misuse report to opg should include.
What this letter needs to cover
- Describe the specific actions of concern with dates and amounts where known
- State the relationship to the donor
- Request urgent investigation
- Note that Adult Social Care have also been/will be notified
Why reporting suspected attorney misuse matters urgently
An attorney acting under a Power of Attorney has a legal duty to act in the donor's best interests — using their position to benefit themselves, make unauthorised gifts, or neglect the donor's needs is a serious breach that the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has real power to investigate and act on, including applying to the Court of Protection for the power of attorney to be revoked.
What to include before you send it
- The donor's details and the attorney you're concerned about
- Specific examples of the suspected misuse, with dates where possible
- Any evidence you have — bank statements, witness accounts, or other documentation
- A request for the OPG to investigate
Why acting promptly protects the donor
Financial abuse under a Power of Attorney can escalate quickly once it begins, and delaying a report risks further loss to the donor. The OPG can act relatively quickly in serious cases, including applying to court for the attorney's removal if the evidence supports it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I'm not completely certain misuse is happening, just concerned?
You can still raise a concern for the OPG to assess — you don't need conclusive proof before reporting, since investigating exactly this kind of concern is their role.
Can I report this if I'm not a family member?
Yes — anyone with a genuine concern about attorney misuse can report to the OPG, not just relatives.
Letter template
A letter to start from. Copy it, fill in the [square brackets] and change anything that does not fit your situation.
[Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Postcode] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [England and Wales: Office of the Public Guardian / Scotland: Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) / Northern Ireland: Office of Care and Protection] [Address - check the current address on the official website] [Date] Dear Sir or Madam, Subject: Concern about an attorney – [Donor's Full Name] – Reference: [LPA / EPA reference, if known] I am reporting a serious concern that an attorney may be misusing a [Lasting Power of Attorney / Enduring Power of Attorney / Continuing Power of Attorney (Scotland)]. The person at risk (the donor): • Full name: [Donor's Full Name] • Date of birth: [Donor's Date of Birth] • Address: [Donor's Address or Care Home] I am the donor's [relationship, e.g. son / neighbour / carer]. I am concerned that the attorney, [Name of Attorney], is not acting in the donor's best interests. What I have seen: • [e.g. On [date], £[amount] was withdrawn from the donor's account with no explanation.] • [e.g. The donor's care home fees have not been paid since [date].] • [e.g. The donor is being kept away from family.] I enclose [list documents, e.g. bank statements, or write "no documents"]. Please investigate this urgently. I [have told / will tell] the local council's Adult Social Care team as well. Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name]
General information, not legal advice. Change the letter to fit your situation. The copy button copies the letter to your device. We only count that a letter was copied – the text you copy is never sent or stored.
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