Why should young adults think about an LPA?
Most people associate Lasting Power of Attorney with elderly relatives and dementia planning. But the truth is that losing mental capacity can happen to anyone, at any age. A car accident, a stroke, a serious infection, a head injury — any of these can leave a young, healthy person unable to manage their own affairs, with no warning.
Once you turn 18, your parents no longer have any automatic legal right to make decisions on your behalf. If you are in a serious accident and cannot communicate, your parents cannot access your bank account to pay your rent. Your partner cannot make medical decisions for you. Nobody can — unless you have an LPA in place.
What happens to a young adult without an LPA?
If a young person loses capacity without an LPA, their family faces a difficult and expensive situation. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order, which:
- Costs over £1,000 in court fees and legal costs
- Takes months to process
- Requires ongoing annual reporting to the OPG
- May result in a court-appointed deputy the person would not have chosen
During the waiting period, nobody has legal authority to manage the person's finances, deal with their landlord, or make decisions about their medical care. This can cause enormous stress for families who are already dealing with a loved one's illness or injury.
When should you make an LPA?
The best time to make an LPA is when you are healthy, have full mental capacity, and can think clearly about who you would trust to make decisions for you. Key life moments when you should consider an LPA include:
- Turning 18 — when your parents lose their automatic decision-making authority
- Going to university — when you are living independently, possibly far from family
- Starting your first job — when you have income, a bank account, and financial commitments
- Moving in with a partner — when you share financial responsibilities
- Buying a home — when you have a significant asset to protect
- Having children — when your family depends on your income and decisions
Which LPA should young adults get?
There are two types of LPA, and young adults benefit from both:
- Property and Financial Affairs — covers bank accounts, rent or mortgage payments, bills, investments, and any business interests
- Health and Welfare — covers medical treatment, care decisions, and where you live
You can create both with myLPA Guide for just £69. The questionnaire is completely free, so you can see exactly what is involved before you pay anything.
Who should young adults appoint as attorneys?
Your attorneys must be people you trust completely. Common choices for young adults include:
- Parents — often the first choice for young adults, especially those under 25
- A partner or spouse — if you are in a long-term relationship
- Siblings — brothers or sisters who are also over 18
- Close friends — trusted friends can be attorneys too
You can appoint more than one attorney and choose whether they must act together (jointly) or can act independently (jointly and severally). Read more about choosing the right people in our guide to who can be an attorney.
How much does it cost?
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.
Both LPA types together cost £69 — saving £9 compared to buying them separately. The OPG registration fee is £92 per document. The total cost for complete protection — both LPA types, generated and registered — is around £233. Compare that to solicitors, who typically charge £400-£900 just for preparation, before the government fees.
For the cost of a weekend away, you get legal protection that lasts for the rest of your life (or until you choose to revoke it). Start your free LPA questionnaire today.
Real scenarios where young adults need an LPA
Consider these real-life situations:
- A 22-year-old cyclist is hit by a car and is in a coma for three weeks. Their rent is due, their phone bill needs paying, and their employer needs to be contacted. Without an LPA, nobody can access their bank account.
- A 30-year-old has a sudden stroke and needs surgery. Without a Health and Welfare LPA, doctors make decisions based on their own clinical judgement — not the wishes the patient would have expressed.
- A 25-year-old develops a serious mental health crisis and is unable to manage their affairs. Without an LPA, their student loans go unpaid and their credit rating is damaged.
These situations are not rare. They happen every day. An LPA is a simple, affordable way to make sure you are protected.