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 ever become unable to make them yourself. There are two types: a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, which covers decisions about your money, property, and bills; and a Health and Welfare LPA, which covers decisions about your medical care and daily life. You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity to make an LPA. It only comes into effect when registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

How much does an LPA cost?

The questionnaire is completely free. Seeing your completed document is free. If you want us to generate your completed, checked document and email it to you — that is £39 per document, or £69 for both. Optional extras like our signing guide (£67) and print and post service (£25) are just that — optional. The government charges a registration fee of £82 per document to register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian. This is paid directly to them, not to us, and is the same regardless of who helps you with your LPA. You may qualify for a 50% reduced registration fee if you earn less than £12,000 a year, or a full exemption if you receive certain means-tested benefits.

Can I do an LPA without a solicitor?

Yes — completely. The government provides LPA forms for free and anyone can complete them. Solicitors charge £400-£900 to fill in the same free forms. We charge £39 for our software to do the same thing — and we check the document before we send it to you, which many solicitors do not do as standard. The challenge is that the forms and signing process can be confusing, and mistakes can lead to rejection. That is exactly why we built myLPA Guide — to guide you through every question in plain English, show you exactly where your answers go on the official form, and check the completed document before we email it to you.

What happens if my LPA gets rejected?

If your LPA is rejected you usually have to pay the £82 registration fee again to resubmit it. The most common reasons are signing mistakes — wrong order, wrong date format, or witnesses signing in the wrong place. Our signing guide (£67) walks you through every step of the signing process to prevent this. We also check every document we generate before emailing it to you. Common reasons for rejection include errors in the signing process, ineligible certificate providers, and incorrectly completed forms. The OPG rejects thousands of applications every year. Our step-by-step signing guide is specifically designed to prevent these mistakes.

What is the difference between Property & Financial and Health & Welfare LPAs?

A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers decisions about your money, property, bills, and bank accounts. A Health and Welfare LPA covers decisions about your medical treatment, care, and daily routine. Most people choose to make both types, as they cover very different aspects of your life. Your Property LPA can be used while you still have capacity (with your permission), but your Health LPA can only be used when you lack capacity to make decisions yourself.

How long does an LPA take to register?

Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian currently takes around 20 weeks from the date they receive your application. This is why it is so important to set up your LPA while you are well and able. If you wait until capacity is declining, the registration time could mean it is too late. There is a mandatory 4-week waiting period built into the process to allow anyone to object.

Do I need a certificate provider?

Yes. Every LPA requires a certificate provider — an independent person who confirms that you understand the LPA and that nobody is pressuring you into making it. Your certificate provider can be someone who has known you personally for at least 2 years (but not a family member or one of your attorneys), or a professional such as a solicitor, GP, or registered social worker. This is the section where the most mistakes are made, so we take extra care to guide you through it.

What is the signing process for an LPA?

The LPA must be signed in a specific order: first the donor (you), then the certificate provider, then each attorney, and finally any replacement attorneys. Getting this order wrong is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Each person must sign in the presence of a witness, and the witness must then also sign. Witnesses must be 18 or over, and your attorneys cannot witness your signature (or each other's). Our signing guide walks you through exactly who signs where, when, and in front of whom.

Can my spouse and I both make LPAs?

Yes. Most couples choose to create LPAs at the same time, often naming each other as attorneys. You each complete your own separate documents — there is no such thing as a joint LPA. Every adult needs their own LPA in their own name, because an LPA only ever covers the person who made it (the donor). Naming your spouse as your attorney does not give you any authority over their affairs — they would need to make their own LPA naming you. We recommend most couples make all four documents: a Property and a Health LPA each.

Is myLPA a legal service?

No. myLPA Guide is a document preparation and software service. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice. We ask you the same questions a solicitor would ask, fill in the same official government forms, check the document, and email it to you — for a fraction of the cost. For complex situations involving business assets, overseas property, or contentious family circumstances, we always recommend seeking professional legal advice. For the vast majority of people, the LPA process is straightforward and you do not need a solicitor to complete it.

LPA vs Deputyship — When You Need a Deputy Instead of an LPA

What is the difference between an LPA and a deputyship?

A Lasting Power of Attorney and a deputyship both allow someone to make decisions on behalf of a person who lacks mental capacity. But they are created in very different circumstances, at very different costs, and with very different levels of control.

For official details, see GOV.UK.

How does an LPA work?

An LPA is a document you create while you still have mental capacity. You choose:

Who your attorneys will be.
What powers they have.
Any preferences or instructions for how they act.
Whether they act jointly, jointly and severally, or a combination.

Once registered with the OPG (cost: £92 per document), it is ready to use when needed. The total cost with myLPA Guide is from £131 per document (£39 + £92).

How does a deputyship work?

A deputyship is a court order made by the Court of Protection. It is needed when someone has already lost mental capacity and does not have an LPA in place. The process involves:

Applying to the Court of Protection with detailed forms and a medical assessment.
The court decides who should be the deputy (usually a family member, but the court has the final say).
The court sets the deputy's powers and may impose restrictions.
The deputy is supervised by the OPG, with annual reporting requirements.

How much does a deputyship cost?

Deputyship is significantly more expensive than an LPA:

Court application fee: £371
Assessment of capacity: £100-£300 (medical report)
Solicitor fees: £1,000-£3,000+ (most people use a solicitor for deputyship applications due to their complexity)
Annual supervision fee: £320 per year (OPG supervision levy for property and affairs deputies)
Security bond: May be required, with an annual premium

Compare this to an LPA through myLPA Guide: £131 per document with no ongoing fees.

What are the key differences?

When it is created: LPA = while you have capacity. Deputyship = after you have lost capacity.
Who decides: LPA = you choose your attorney. Deputyship = the court appoints the deputy.
Cost: LPA = from £131 per document. Deputyship = typically £1,000-£3,000+ upfront, plus ongoing annual fees.
Time: LPA registration = 8-10 weeks. Deputyship = 4-6 months or longer.
Supervision: LPA attorneys have no ongoing reporting. Deputies must submit annual reports to the OPG.
Flexibility: LPA attorneys have the powers you specified. Deputies have only the powers the court grants.

When is a deputyship unavoidable?

A deputyship is needed when:

Someone has already lost mental capacity and no LPA exists.
An LPA exists but is insufficient for the decisions that need making.
There are disputes about an existing LPA that need court resolution.
The court needs to remove an attorney and appoint a deputy instead.

Why should I make an LPA now?

The most compelling reason to make an LPA now is to avoid the need for a deputyship later. Consider:

Cost saving: An LPA costs from £131. A deputyship costs £1,000-£3,000+, plus annual fees.
Your choice: You choose your own attorney. With deputyship, a judge decides.
Speed: A registered LPA is ready immediately. Deputyship takes months.
Simplicity: No court hearings, no ongoing supervision, no annual reports.

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.

Do not wait until it is too late. Complete your free LPA questionnaire today and protect yourself from the expense and uncertainty of deputyship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an LPA if I already have reduced capacity?

You can make an LPA as long as you have sufficient mental capacity to understand what it is and what you are doing. If capacity is in question, a medical assessment may be needed. Once capacity is fully lost, you cannot make an LPA.

How much does a deputyship cost in total?

Initial costs are typically £1,000-£3,000+ including the court fee, solicitor fees, and medical assessment. Ongoing costs include an annual supervision fee of £320 and potentially a security bond premium.

Can a deputy do everything an attorney can?

Not necessarily. The court sets specific powers for the deputy, which may be more limited than those an LPA attorney would have. The deputy must also seek court permission for certain decisions.

How long does a deputyship application take?

Typically 4-6 months, but complex or contested cases can take much longer. During this time, the person lacking capacity may have no one authorised to manage their affairs.

Can family members apply for deputyship?

Yes. Family members are the most common applicants. However, the court has discretion to appoint a different person — including a professional deputy — if it considers that more appropriate.

Is an LPA cheaper than a deputyship?

Yes, by a significant margin. An LPA through myLPA Guide costs from £131 per document with no ongoing fees. A deputyship typically costs £1,000-£3,000+ upfront plus annual supervision fees of £320.

LPA vs Deputyship — When You Need a Deputy Instead of an LPA

What is the difference between an LPA and a deputyship?

How does an LPA work?

How does a deputyship work?

How much does a deputyship cost?

What are the key differences?

When is a deputyship unavoidable?

Why should I make an LPA now?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make an LPA if I already have reduced capacity?

How much does a deputyship cost in total?

Can a deputy do everything an attorney can?

How long does a deputyship application take?

Can family members apply for deputyship?

Is an LPA cheaper than a deputyship?

Related Articles

LPA Cost Breakdown — Every Fee Explained (2026)

Ordinary Power of Attorney vs LPA — Which Do You Need?

LPA vs Enduring Power of Attorney — What Changed and Why It Matters

LPA and Dementia — What You Need to Know

LPA for Elderly Parents — Special Considerations and Practical Guide

Ready to create your LPA?