A lasting power of attorney, or LPA, lets you choose people you trust to make decisions for you if you can't. It's one of the most useful legal documents you can have, and one of the most overlooked.
The two types
- Property and financial affairs: paying bills, managing bank accounts and investments, collecting pensions and benefits, selling your home if needed.
- Health and welfare: where you live, your day-to-day care, medical treatment and, if you choose, life-sustaining treatment.
Most people need both. Without the health and welfare LPA, doctors and social workers make decisions in your best interests. They'll usually consult your family, but your family won't have the final say.
Choosing attorneys
You can appoint one or more attorneys and decide whether they must act together or can act separately. Replacement attorneys can step in if one can't act. Choose people who are trustworthy, organised and likely to be around for many years.
Cost and timing
Each LPA costs £92 to register with the Office of the Public Guardian. It must be registered before it can be used, and registration takes time. Errors are common and can mean starting again, which is why many people use a professional.
The deadline nobody tells you about
You can only make an LPA while you have the mental capacity to understand it. After a stroke, a serious accident or advanced dementia, it may be too late, and your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection instead. See what happens without an LPA, or compare the costs.
Most people do their LPAs alongside their will. Talk to a specialist.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LPA cost in 2026?
The Office of the Public Guardian charges £92 to register each LPA, so £184 for both types. Reductions are available on a low income. Professional help is extra.
How long does registration take?
Usually several weeks or more, and longer if there are mistakes. That's why it's best done well before you need it.
When can my attorney use it?
A property and financial affairs LPA can be used once registered, with your permission, even while you still have capacity. A health and welfare LPA can only be used if you lack capacity to make the decision yourself.
What's the difference between an LPA and an ordinary power of attorney?
An ordinary power of attorney stops working if you lose mental capacity, which is exactly when it's usually needed. An LPA carries on.
Request a call back
Tell us a little about your situation and we'll call you, usually within one working day, to understand what you need. If it would help, we'll then put you in touch with a specialist, such as a solicitor who deals with wills and powers of attorney. We'll always tell you who they are before passing on your details. We don't give advice ourselves, and there's no obligation.