Plan ahead with confidence.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, is a legal document that lets you choose people you trust to make decisions for you. These people are called attorneys. They can step in if you are no longer able to make certain decisions yourself, or in some cases if you simply want help.

Our help article on what an LPA is and how it works explains the basics.

The two types of LPA

In England and Wales there are two types:

• Health and welfare – covers decisions about things like daily care, medical treatment and moving into a care home. It can only be used when you cannot make your own decisions.
• Property and financial affairs – covers decisions about money and property, such as paying bills, managing a bank account or selling a home. With your permission, it can be used while you still have capacity.

Many people make both. Our guide to the difference between the two LPA types explains more.

Who may find an LPA helpful?

An LPA is something any adult can think about. GOV.UK says you must be 18 or over and have mental capacity – the ability to make your own decisions – when you make your LPA. People often consider one when they:

• are planning ahead for later life
• have a new diagnosis and want to put plans in place while they can
• are about to travel or work abroad for long periods
• run a business or own property
• want to avoid family members having to apply to court later

If there is no LPA and someone loses capacity, their family may need to apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy. This can take longer and involve more steps. Our article on what happens if there is no LPA explains more.

What does a professional typically do?

A professional can:

• explain the two types of LPA and how they work
• help you think through who to choose as attorneys
• explain options such as instructions and preferences for your attorneys
• prepare the forms and check they are filled in correctly
• act as a certificate provider, where appropriate, to confirm you understand the LPA
• help with registration with the Office of the Public Guardian

Choosing attorneys is a big decision. Our guide to who can be an attorney may help you think it through.

When specialist help may be particularly sensible

Many LPAs are simple. Professional help may be especially useful when:

• there may be doubts about whether the person can make the LPA
• family members disagree about who should be an attorney
• you own a business or complex assets
• you want to include detailed instructions
• there is a problem with an existing LPA or an attorney

An LPA can only be made by someone who has the mental capacity to make it. If that may not be possible, a professional can explain other options, such as applying to the Court of Protection to become a deputy. GOV.UK has an overview of how deputyship works.

Can I make an LPA myself?

Yes. GOV.UK says you can make a lasting power of attorney online or using paper forms. You can also ask someone, such as a family member, friend or solicitor, to help you fill them in. The LPA must then be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

At the time of writing (October 2026), GOV.UK lists a registration fee of £92 for each LPA, unless you qualify for a reduction or exemption. Please check the official page for the current position. Our article on how LPA registration works explains the steps.

Some people are happy to make their LPAs themselves. Others prefer a professional to explain the choices and help avoid mistakes that could delay registration.

Whoever you use, it is sensible to check their regulation, insurance and membership yourself. You can search the Solicitors Regulation Authority register to confirm whether someone is a regulated solicitor.

What happens after you enquire

1. You answer a few questions. It takes a few minutes, and you can choose “I’m not sure” or skip some questions.
2. We read your enquiry. A member of our team looks at what you have told us.
3. We introduce you, with your permission. If we can help, we share your enquiry with up to three suitable firms, such as solicitors or will-writing companies, and email you their names. We aim to introduce you to firms that are appropriately qualified for your situation.
4. The firms contact you. Each firm explains how it can help, what it may cost and what happens next. You can compare them and decide whether to go ahead.

WillHarbour is an independent introduction service. We are not a law firm and we do not give legal, tax or financial advice. Sending an enquiry does not create a solicitor–client relationship with anyone. You can read more about how the process works and how we work with professionals.

How fees work

Using WillHarbour is free, and there is no obligation to go ahead with any firm we introduce. We do not set prices. Each firm sets its own fees and terms, and should explain them clearly before you decide anything. Ask them to put the costs in writing.

The firms we work with pay WillHarbour a fee for each introduction. You never pay us anything. Each firm must tell you about its referral arrangement with us, as well as its own fees, before you instruct it. If anything is unclear, ask them directly.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

LPAs are part of the law of England and Wales. Scotland has continuing and welfare powers of attorney, and Northern Ireland uses enduring powers of attorney. At the moment we focus on England and Wales, so we may not be able to route enquiries from elsewhere. You can still send an enquiry and we will let you know if we can help.

For official information, see mygov.scot on power of attorney or nidirect on enduring power of attorney.

Getting started

When you are ready, you can answer a few questions about your LPA. You may also want to think about your Will at the same time – our Will writing page explains how we can help.