Can you really make an LPA for free?
Yes — you can create a Lasting Power of Attorney without paying a solicitor or any private service. The UK government provides a free online tool at gov.uk/power-of-attorney that lets you fill in and create your LPA documents digitally.
However, "free" comes with a caveat. While filling in the forms costs nothing, registering your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) costs £92 per document. This is a government fee that applies no matter how you create your LPA — whether you use a solicitor, an online service, or do it entirely yourself.
What are your options for creating an LPA?
There are three main routes to creating a Lasting Power of Attorney in 2026:
- The government's online tool — completely free to fill in, but offers no guidance or error-checking beyond basic validation.
- An online LPA service like myLPA Guide — guides you through a questionnaire and generates your completed documents, starting from free.
- A solicitor — provides full legal advice but typically charges £400–£900 on top of the registration fee.
The government's free tool
The gov.uk Make an LPA service walks you through an online form. It is functional but minimal — there is no hand-holding, no plain-English explanations of legal terms, and no way to preview your answers on the actual official form before you commit. If you make an error, the OPG may reject your application, and you will lose your £92 fee.
Using myLPA Guide (the cheapest paid option)
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.
This means you can start your free LPA questionnaire, see exactly what your completed form looks like, and only pay if you want the finished document generated, checked, and emailed to you. A single document costs £39, or you can get both types of LPA for £69 (saving £9).
Using a solicitor
Solicitors offer legal advice and will handle the paperwork for you. This is the most expensive option, typically costing £400–£900 for both LPA documents. This route makes sense if you have a complex estate, blended family, or specific concerns that need legal advice — but for most people, it is unnecessary.
What fees can you not avoid?
No matter which route you choose, the OPG registration fee of £92 per LPA is mandatory. If you want both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA, that is £184 in registration fees alone.
You may qualify for a fee exemption if you receive certain means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit. A fee remission (50% reduction) is available if your income is below £12,000 per year. Check the OPG website for the full list of qualifying benefits.
Step-by-step: How to do your LPA for free
- Step 1: Decide which type of LPA you need — Property and Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare, or both.
- Step 2: Choose your attorneys — the people you trust to make decisions on your behalf.
- Step 3: Choose a certificate provider — someone who confirms you understand what you are signing and are not being pressured.
- Step 4: Fill in the forms using the government's free tool or the myLPA Guide free questionnaire.
- Step 5: Print, sign, and witness the documents in the correct order.
- Step 6: Send the signed forms to the OPG with your £92 registration fee.
What are the common mistakes when doing your own LPA?
The biggest risks of the DIY approach are:
- Signing the form sections in the wrong order (each section must be signed in a specific sequence).
- Choosing an ineligible certificate provider (for example, a family member).
- Leaving mandatory sections blank or using ambiguous wording in your preferences and instructions.
- Not having your signature properly witnessed.
These errors can lead to your LPA being rejected by the OPG, which means losing your £92 fee and having to start again. Using a service like the UK's cheapest LPA service helps you avoid these pitfalls because it checks your answers before generating the form.
Is it worth paying for an LPA service?
If you are comfortable reading legal documents and following detailed instructions, you can absolutely do your LPA for free using the government tool. But if you want peace of mind that your form is correctly completed, a low-cost service like myLPA Guide bridges the gap — you get the guidance of a paid service at a fraction of the solicitor cost.
At £39 per document (or £69 for both), plus the £92 registration fee per document, you can have both LPAs completed and registered for as little as £253 — compared to £584–£1,084 with a solicitor.
How long does the whole process take?
Filling in the forms takes most people 15–30 minutes per LPA. The signing process can take a few days to coordinate with your attorneys, witnesses, and certificate provider. Once submitted, the OPG typically takes 8–12 weeks to register your LPA, though it can be longer during busy periods. You can complete your LPA questionnaire free today and have your documents ready to sign within minutes.