Lasting power of attorney: types, cost and how to set up
Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets people you choose make decisions for you if you can no longer make them yourself. In England and Wales there are two types, each costing £92 to register at the time of writing (November 2026). Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own versions.
Why it matters
If an illness, accident or dementia leaves you unable to manage your affairs, nobody has an automatic right to step in, not even your husband, wife or children. Banks can freeze accounts in your sole name, and decisions about your care may be made by professionals. Without a power of attorney your family would have to apply to a court for authority, which takes longer, costs more and involves ongoing supervision.
You can only make a power of attorney while you have the mental capacity to understand what you are signing. That is why it is worth doing while you are well.
England and Wales: the two types of LPA
| Type | What it covers | When it can be used |
|---|---|---|
| Property and financial affairs | Bank accounts, bills, pensions and benefits, selling your home | As soon as it is registered, with your permission, or only once you lack capacity, whichever you choose |
| Health and welfare | Medical treatment, daily routine, where you live, and, if you choose, life-sustaining treatment | Only when you are unable to make the decision yourself |
How to make one
- Choose your attorneys. They must be 18 or over. Pick people you trust completely who are organised and willing. You can appoint more than one and say whether they must act together or can act separately, and you can name replacements.
- Fill in the forms, online or on paper, through GOV.UK.
- Get it signed in the right order by you, a witness, your attorneys and a certificate provider. This is someone who confirms you understand the LPA and are not being pressured: either a person who has known you well for at least two years, or a professional such as a doctor or solicitor. Certain people, including family members, cannot do it.
- Register it with the Office of the Public Guardian. It cannot be used until it is registered.
The fee and how long it takes
GOV.UK gives the registration fee as £92 for each LPA, so £184 for both types, at the time of writing (November 2026). You can apply for a reduced fee if your income is under £12,000 a year, and you may pay nothing if you receive certain means-tested benefits.
GOV.UK says registration takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application. Errors are common, especially signatures in the wrong order, and mean delay and sometimes paying again. Read the guidance notes slowly, or ask for help.
Scotland
Scotland has its own system. According to mygov.scot there are two kinds of power:
- Continuing power of attorney covers money and property. It can be used once registered, or you can set it to start only if you lose capacity.
- Welfare power of attorney covers health and personal welfare, and can only be used once you have lost the capacity to make those decisions.
Many people combine the two in one document. A solicitor or a medical practitioner must interview you and certify that you understand what you are doing and are not under undue influence. The document must then be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) before it can be used. There is a registration fee; check the current amount and processing times on the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) website. See also power of attorney on mygov.scot.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland uses the enduring power of attorney (EPA). nidirect explains that:
- an EPA covers property and financial matters only. It does not cover health and welfare decisions.
- if you become unable to manage your affairs, your attorney must register the EPA with the Office of Care and Protection at the High Court for it to stay in force. You are told when they apply.
Because the wording matters, most people in Northern Ireland use a solicitor. See enduring power of attorney on nidirect.
Choosing and briefing your attorneys
- Attorneys must act in your best interests, keep your money separate from theirs and keep records. They cannot simply do as they please.
- Tell your bank once the document is registered, and keep it with your other papers: see organising your paperwork.
Day-to-day help without a power of attorney
If you simply want someone to do your shopping or pay the odd bill, there are lighter arrangements, such as a third-party mandate on a bank account or a carer's card. These stop being valid if you lose capacity. Our guide to shopping for someone else explains them, and banking without the internet covers other ways to manage money.
A power of attorney ends when you die. After that, your will and your executors take over.
Common questions
Can I change my mind?
Yes. As long as you have capacity you can cancel a power of attorney or make a new one.
Does my attorney take over as soon as it is registered?
No. While you have capacity you stay in charge. A financial LPA can be used with your permission to help you; a health and welfare LPA can only be used when you cannot decide for yourself.
What if it is already too late to make one?
The family can apply to the court to be appointed to act: a deputy in England and Wales, a guardian in Scotland, or a controller in Northern Ireland. Age UK and Citizens Advice can explain the process.