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Due to the impact of the pandemic, they could have to wait six months - several times the usual timeframe.

The issue is not confined to Scotland, however, as big hold-ups are also being experienced south of the border due to most staff involved in processing the paperwork still working from home.

PoAs can be very important because, at some point in the future, it may become difficult or even impossible for you to manage your own affairs.

You could have lost mental capacity, or have simply reached a stage in your life where you would rather someone else took on the responsibility for looking after your day-to-day finances.

A PoA allows you to appoint a family member, friend or professional adviser to make financial or welfare decisions on your behalf should you be unable or unwilling to do so.

PoA applications north of the border are handled by the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland).

Under normal circumstances, it aims to register deeds within 30 working days.

But, because of Covid-19, the office has been operating with reduced staffing levels.

The current extent of the backlog was revealed by the office this week.

It is only now getting round to processing electronic submissions received on March 22, 2021, and postal submissions received around March 3, 2021.

But there is an expedited registration service available within five working days for PoAs if they need to be processed urgently.

Examples of this include if a person has:

• Lost capacity and urgent decisions require to be made;
• Been admitted to hospital and urgent action requires to be taken;
• Requires to be moved from hospital with a care package or into a care home; or
• Is at risk of financial harm as they cannot act in their own interests to pay bills, care fees, etc or to undertake a financial assessment following release from hospital.