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Lasting Power of Attorney
Protect your future decisions while you still can.
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you choose who makes important decisions for you if you ever lose the mental capacity to make them yourself. Set yours up online from just £75 — or book a phone or video appointment with one of our estate planners.
England & Wales only · Society of Will Writers member · Expert reviewed · Fixed fee
Pricing
Fixed fee. No hidden costs.
Choose the LPA you need — or get both for complete peace of mind. All prices shown are our service fee. A separate government registration fee of £92 per LPA is payable directly to the Office of the Public Guardian.
Property & Financial Affairs
Financial LPA
Covers your money, property and financial decisions£75
Our fee — plus £92 OPG registration feeBank accounts, savings and investments
Property — buying, selling and managing
Paying bills and everyday outgoings
Can be used before or after loss of capacity
Guided online process with expert review
Health & Welfare
Health LPA
Covers your care, treatment and daily wellbeing£75
Our fee — plus £92 OPG registration feeMedical treatment decisions
Where you live and your care arrangements
Day-to-day personal welfare
Can only be used after loss of capacity
Guided online process with expert review
Complete Protection
Both LPAs Together
Financial & Health — the complete solution£150
Our fee for both — plus £184 OPG registrationFull financial and personal protection in one
Both LPAs reviewed by a professional
Covers every decision your attorney may face
Recommended for most people
Same guided process — complete at your own pace
About the government registration fee: All LPAs in England and Wales must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before they can be used. The OPG charges a mandatory registration fee of £92 per LPA, payable directly to them — this is separate from our service fee. Total cost: £167 for one LPA (our £75 + £92 OPG) or £334 for both (our £150 + £184 OPG). We guide you through the registration process as part of our service.
Understanding LPAs
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust — your “attorney” — to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose the mental capacity to make them yourself.
There are two types of LPA. One covers your Property and Financial Affairs — your money, property, bills and investments. The other covers your Health and Welfare — your medical treatment, care arrangements and daily wellbeing. You can set up one or both.
Most people choose both, because losing mental capacity can affect every area of your life simultaneously. Having both LPAs in place means your attorney can step in immediately and handle whatever is needed.
“An LPA is one of the most important legal documents you will ever create — and it can only be done while you still have mental capacity.””
850,000
people in the UK are living with dementia. It can affect anyone — and an LPA must be in place before mental capacity is lost.20 weeks
is how long the Office of the Public Guardian currently takes to register an LPA. It cannot be used until registration is complete.£3,000+
is the typical cost of applying to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order — the only alternative if you have no LPA in place.The Two Types of LPA
Which LPA do you need?
Most people benefit from having both. Here is exactly what each one covers and how they differ.
Property & Financial Affairs
Allows your attorney to manage your money, property and financial matters. Unlike the Health LPA, this one can be used while you still have mental capacity — if you choose this option when setting it up.
Managing your bank accounts and savings
Paying your bills and regular outgoings
Buying, selling or managing your property
Collecting your income, pension and benefits
Making or changing investments on your behalf
Dealing with your tax affairs
Can be used before or after loss of mental capacity, with your permission.
Health & Welfare
Allows your attorney to make decisions about your personal care, medical treatment and daily wellbeing. This LPA can only be used once you have lost mental capacity — it cannot be activated beforehand.
Medical treatment — what you will and won't accept
Where you live, including care home decisions
Your day-to-day care and personal welfare
Life-sustaining treatment (if you choose to include this)
Dietary preferences and daily routine
Social activities and who you see
Can only be used after you have lost mental capacity — not before.
Why Act Now
Why setting up an LPA cannot wait
The single most important thing to understand is this: you can only create an LPA while you have mental capacity. Once you have lost it — through illness, accident or dementia — it is legally too late.
Many people assume they have plenty of time, or that an LPA is for later life. But accidents and sudden illness can happen at any age. And by the time you realise you need one, it may already be too late to make one.
On top of this, even after you have set up your LPA, it takes around 20 weeks to register with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. Acting now means it will be ready when it matters.
01
It must be done while you have capacity
You cannot make an LPA after losing mental capacity. Waiting until you need it means it will be too late — and your family will face a lengthy, expensive court process instead.
02
Registration takes around 20 weeks
Even after completing your LPA, it takes the Office of the Public Guardian around 20 weeks to register it. It cannot be used until registration is complete.
03
Family cannot act without one
Without a registered LPA, even a spouse cannot access your bank accounts or make care decisions. They would need a Court of Protection order — taking months and costing thousands.
04
Accidents happen at any age
A brain injury, stroke or sudden illness can affect anyone. An LPA is not just for older people — it is for anyone who wants their wishes protected if the unexpected happens.
05
You remain in full control
Having an LPA does not mean handing over control. You choose who your attorney is, what decisions they can make, and when it can be used. You can cancel it at any time while you have capacity.
06
Peace of mind for your whole family
An LPA removes uncertainty and stress for the people you love. They know what you want, who is authorised to act, and can step in immediately — without delays or court battles.
The Difference It Makes
With an LPA vs without one
✓ With an LPA in place
✗ Without an LPA
Your attorney can access accounts immediately
Banks freeze accounts — even joint ones may be restricted
Bills, mortgage and care costs managed without interruption
Payments may fall into arrears while court process plays out
Your medical wishes are known and legally honoured
Medical staff make decisions without knowing your preferences
Family can focus on caring for you, not fighting paperwork
Family must apply to the Court of Protection — 6–12 months
Total cost from £167 (our fee plus OPG registration)
Deputyship application typically costs £3,000–£5,000+
✓ With an LPA: Your attorney can access accounts immediately
✗ Without: Banks freeze accounts — even joint ones may be restricted
✓ With an LPA: Bills, mortgage and care costs managed without interruption
✗ Without: Payments may fall into arrears while court process plays out
✓ With an LPA: Your medical wishes are known and legally honoured
✗ Without: Medical staff make decisions without knowing your preferences
✓ With an LPA: Family can focus on caring for you, not fighting paperwork
✗ Without: Family must apply to the Court of Protection — 6–12 months
✓ With an LPA: Total cost from £167 (our fee plus OPG registration)
✗ Without: Deputyship application typically costs £3,000–£5,000+
The Process
How to set up your LPA with The Will Place
Five straightforward steps — guided throughout. Most people complete their LPA online in around 45 minutes.
01
Choose your LPA type
Decide whether you need a Financial LPA, a Health LPA, or both. If you are unsure, our tool will help you decide — or book an appointment and we will guide you through it.02
Appoint your attorneys
Choose who you trust to make decisions for you. You can appoint more than one attorney and set rules for how they must act — together or independently.03
Set any instructions or preferences
Add specific instructions about what your attorneys can or cannot do, and any general preferences you want them to be aware of when acting on your behalf.04
We review your LPA
Every LPA is reviewed by our experienced team before it reaches you. If anything needs clarifying, we will be in touch — at no extra cost.05
Sign, register and done
We guide you through the signing process and support you through registering with the Office of the Public Guardian. Once registered, your LPA is ready to use.Prefer to Talk It Through?
Not sure where to start? Book an appointment.
LPAs can feel more complex than wills — there are more decisions to make and more people involved in the process. If you would prefer to talk it through with one of our estate planners first, we are here to help.
Book a free phone or video appointment and we will explain everything clearly, answer your questions, and guide you through the whole process at your own pace. No pressure, no difference in cost.
Phone appointment
Speak with an estate planner by phone. We take you through the whole process and handle everything for you.
Video appointment
Prefer a face-to-face conversation? Book a video call from the comfort of your own home.
Select a date and time that works for you
Prefer to call us directly? 0303 223 3010
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about LPAs
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you choose someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to make them yourself. There are two types — Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare — and you can set up one or both.
Does an LPA apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document for England and Wales only. Scotland has its own separate system — a Continuing Power of Attorney and Welfare Power of Attorney, registered with the Office of the Public Guardian Scotland. Northern Ireland has Enduring Powers of Attorney under separate legislation. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, please contact us and we can point you in the right direction.
How much does an LPA cost in total?
Our service fee is £75 per LPA, or £150 for both. In addition, there is a mandatory government registration fee of £92 per LPA, payable directly to the Office of the Public Guardian. This makes the total cost £167 for one LPA, or £334 for both. We guide you through the registration process and payment as part of our service — there are no surprises.
When should I set up a Lasting Power of Attorney?
As soon as possible. You can only create an LPA while you have mental capacity — once you have lost it, it is legally too late. You do not need to be elderly or unwell. An accident or illness can affect anyone at any age. Registration also takes around 20 weeks, so acting early ensures your LPA is ready when it might be needed.
Can my family act for me without an LPA?
No — and this surprises many people. Without a registered LPA, even a spouse or close family member cannot automatically access your bank accounts, manage your property, or make decisions about your medical care if you lose mental capacity. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order, which typically takes 6–12 months and costs £3,000 or more.
Who can be my attorney?
Your attorney must be aged 18 or over and have mental capacity themselves. They do not need any legal experience — they just need to be someone you trust completely. Most people choose a spouse, partner, adult child, or close friend. You can appoint more than one attorney and set rules for how they make decisions together or independently.
Can I cancel an LPA if I change my mind?
Yes. You can cancel (revoke) an LPA at any time while you still have mental capacity, by completing a deed of revocation and sending it to the Office of the Public Guardian. If you want to change your attorney or update your instructions significantly, you would need to create a new LPA.
How long does LPA registration take?
Once you have completed and signed your LPA, it must be submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration. Registration currently takes around 20 weeks. Your LPA cannot be used until it is registered — which is why it is so important to act well in advance of when it may be needed.
Further Reading
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Don’t leave it too late.
A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be set up while you have mental capacity. Start yours today — online in around 45 minutes, or book a free phone or video appointment.