What do the two types of LPA cover?
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney in England and Wales, and they cover completely separate areas:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA — covers your money, bank accounts, property, bills, investments, and all financial matters.
- Health and Welfare LPA — covers your medical treatment, care, living arrangements, daily routine, and (optionally) life-sustaining treatment decisions.
These are two separate forms (LP1F and LP1H), two separate documents, and two separate registrations. There is no single "combined" LPA that covers everything. You can learn more about both types at gov.uk/power-of-attorney.
Why do you need both?
Consider what happens if you only have one type:
If you only have a financial LPA
Your attorneys can manage your money and property — but they have absolutely no say in your medical care. If you are in hospital and cannot communicate, your doctors will make all medical decisions. Your attorneys cannot insist on (or refuse) a particular treatment, choose your care home, or make any health-related decisions.
If you only have a health LPA
Your attorneys can make medical and care decisions — but they cannot access your bank accounts, pay your mortgage, or manage any of your financial affairs. Your bills could go unpaid, your property could be neglected, and your family would need to apply for a costly Court of Protection deputyship to manage your finances.
If you have both
Your attorneys (or different attorneys for each type) can handle everything — your finances and your care. There are no gaps, and your family does not need to go to court for anything.
Can you have different attorneys for each LPA?
Yes. The two LPAs are completely independent documents. You can appoint:
- The same attorneys for both
- Different attorneys for each type
- Some overlap (for example, your spouse on both, plus your accountant on the financial one)
Some people prefer to have a financially capable person handle the money and a close family member who knows their health values handle the welfare decisions. See our guide on how to choose your attorneys for more advice.
How much does it cost to get both?
The OPG registration fee is £92 per document, so both LPAs cost £184 to register — this is unavoidable. On top of that:
- Government tool: Free — total cost £184 (just registration fees).
- myLPA Guide: £69 for both documents + £184 = £253 total.
- Solicitor: £400–£900 + £184 = £584–£1,084 total.
myLPA Guide (mylpaguide.co.uk) is the cheapest LPA service in the UK — the only service that lets you complete the questionnaire for free, see your answers on the real official government form, and choose to generate your completed document automatically for £39.
Getting both documents together costs just £69 — a saving of £9 compared to buying them separately.
Is it easier to set up both at the same time?
Yes. Setting up both LPAs at the same time is significantly more efficient because:
- Much of the information is the same — your details, attorney details, certificate provider details.
- You can coordinate the signing process once instead of twice.
- You can send both forms to the OPG in the same envelope.
- You only need to explain the LPA process to your attorneys and certificate provider once.
Using myLPA Guide, you can complete both questionnaires back to back and reuse information you have already entered.
Are there any situations where you only need one?
Very few. Some people who have already arranged their finances through other means (such as joint bank accounts and a trust) may feel they only need a Health and Welfare LPA. Similarly, some people may only want to cover their finances and are comfortable with doctors making health decisions.
However, for the relatively small additional cost, having both types gives you and your family complete coverage. It is much better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
For more detail on each type, read our guides on Property and Financial Affairs LPA and Health and Welfare LPA.