How much do solicitors charge for a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Solicitor fees for creating a Lasting Power of Attorney vary widely, but most charge between £400 and £900 per LPA document. Since most people need two LPAs (health and welfare, plus property and financial affairs), the total solicitor bill for both is typically £800-£1,800.
On top of that, you must pay the £92 OPG registration fee per document, bringing the full cost to £984-£1,984 for two LPAs through a solicitor.
Why do solicitor fees vary so much?
Several factors affect what a solicitor charges:
- Location: Solicitors in London and the South East tend to charge more than those in other parts of England and Wales.
- Experience and reputation: Senior partners and specialist firms charge higher rates.
- Fee structure: Some solicitors offer fixed fees for LPAs, while others charge hourly rates of £150-£350 or more.
- What is included: Some quotes include the OPG fee, certificate provider service, and storage. Others charge for these separately.
- Complexity: Standard LPAs cost less than those involving businesses, trusts, or family disputes.
What does the solicitor fee include?
A typical solicitor LPA service includes:
- An initial meeting or phone call to discuss your wishes.
- Advice on choosing attorneys and replacement attorneys.
- Completing the official LPA forms on your behalf.
- Sometimes acting as certificate provider (may be an extra charge).
- Sometimes arranging witnessing of signatures.
- Submitting the LPA to the OPG for registration.
Some solicitors also include document storage and ongoing advice, but these extras vary.
Are there cheaper ways to get the same result?
Yes. The LPA forms that solicitors complete are the same official government forms available to everyone. A solicitor does not use special forms or have a different registration process.
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.
The saving is significant:
- Solicitor (both LPAs): £984-£1,984
- myLPA Guide (both LPAs): £253 (£69 + £92 + £92)
- You save: £731-£1,731
How do I know if the solicitor fee is reasonable?
When comparing solicitor quotes:
- Ask for a fixed fee rather than an hourly rate. Hourly billing can escalate quickly if there are delays or additional meetings.
- Check what is included. Does the quote cover both LPAs? Does it include the OPG fee? Certificate provider service? Storage?
- Get at least three quotes. Fees vary significantly between firms, even in the same area.
- Ask about disbursements. Some solicitors add charges for postage, printing, or "file management" on top of their quoted fee.
When is a solicitor worth the money?
Despite the high cost, a solicitor is worthwhile in certain situations:
- You own a business and need advice on how an LPA interacts with your business arrangements.
- You have overseas property or complex financial structures.
- There are family tensions about who should be an attorney.
- The donor's mental capacity is borderline and you need a professional assessment.
- You want comprehensive estate planning that includes wills, trusts, and LPAs together.
For more detail, see our guide on whether you need a solicitor for an LPA.
What if I want professional help but cannot afford a solicitor?
Online LPA services offer a middle ground. myLPA Guide's free questionnaire guides you through the process step by step, shows your answers on the official form, and generates a checked document for just £39. You get professional-quality form completion without the professional-level price tag.
For straightforward LPAs — which covers the vast majority of people — this is the most cost-effective approach.