Form

How to apply to make property and finance decisions on someone’s behalf (including Child Trust Funds)

Updated 17 December 2024

Before you start

If you are applying to become a deputy (COP1) to manage a person’s property and affairs, you must also complete form COP1A.

If your application relates to another matter, you may need to complete an additional form.

You must read the full guidance on becoming a deputy to find out:

• what other forms you may need to include
• any fees you may need to pay
• where to send your forms when they are complete

You must submit form COP1A with form COP1.

Complete the form

You must provide all relevant information to support your application and complete every section of the form that applies to you. If you do not have full details of bank or building society accounts and investments, you may need to apply to the court for an interim order to get these details.

You can continue on a separate sheet of paper if you need more space to answer a question. If you need to do this, include:

• your name
• the name of the person you are applying to make decisions for
• the date of birth of the person you are applying to make decisions for
• the number of the question you are answering

At the end of the form there is a statement of truth. This must be signed by either:

• you (and your co-applicant if applicable)
• your solicitor, or
• a litigation friend (if the applicant is a child or protected party)

Apply to access a Child Trust Fund

A Child Trust Fund is a long-term tax-free savings account for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The scheme ended in 2011. You can find a Child Trust Fund as a parent or if you are over 16.

If you are applying by post to access a Child Trust Fund, you will need to complete the COP1 and COP1A forms.

You can also apply online instead of completing the COP1 – you will still need to complete the COP1A form.

Before applying you should read the making finance decisions for young people: parent and carer toolkit.

Help with fees

You will not need to pay the fee if you are applying only for Child Trust Fund access before the child’s 18th birthday and they have:

• savings of less than £4,250, or
• a monthly income less than £1,420

You will likely also not need to pay the fee if you apply after the child’s 18th birthday but you must:

• ask for a fee waiver due to exceptional circumstances
• apply for help with Court of Protection fees (COP44A)

You should read the guidance notes published alongside form COP44A, which includes information about Child Trust Fund applications.

Complete the form to access a Child Trust Fund

As with other types of COP1A application, you must complete every section of the form that applies to you. However, you will notice that there are sections that will or may not apply to you:

• Section 2 – Enduring power of attorney or lasting power of attorney
• Section 3 – Will
• Section 4 – Income and assets (the land and property and business sub-sections)

If these sections do not apply to you, you can leave them and any other non-applicable sections blank.

Information about the person with the Child Trust Fund

You must complete Section 6 – Other information. You should provide detailed information about the person whose Child Trust Fund you are applying to get access to.

This should include:

• a description of their needs or disabilities, including information about any additional communication needs
• where they live and who cares for them there
• whether they have additional support, such as in-home carers or in a specialist school environment
• additional information about the account that holds the Child Trust Fund, such as paid-in birthday money they may have received
• how you intend to use the money from the Child Trust Fund and how it will benefit them
• what money, income or benefits will remain, such as disability living allowance
• whether you will only need to be their deputy to access the Child Trust Fund
• whether you are asking for a fee waiver for exceptional circumstances or for help with fees

Get help and guidance

Find out more about the Court of Protection

Court of Protection staff cannot give legal advice. If you need legal advice, you can find a legal adviser or contact Citizens Advice.

Citizens Advice

A charity and network of local charities, offering free, confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk