LPA Guidance

How to Set Up a Lasting Power of Attorney in the UK

A Clear Step-by-Step Guide to the LPA Process

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is an important part of protecting your future. While the process is designed to be legally robust, it can feel complex if you are unfamiliar with the steps involved.

This guide explains how the process works, what is required, and how to ensure your LPA is valid and properly registered.

A Lasting Power of Attorney should always be considered alongside your Will as part of a complete estate plan.

What Is Involved in Setting Up an LPA?

Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney involves formally appointing one or more trusted individuals to act on your behalf if you are unable to make decisions yourself in the future.

You will need to decide who you want to appoint, what powers they will have, and how those powers should be used.

There are two types of LPA in the UK - Health and Welfare, and Property and Financial Affairs - and most people choose to put both in place.

Each LPA is a separate legal document and must be completed correctly to be valid.

Step 1: Choosing Your Attorneys

The first step is selecting the people you trust to act as your attorneys.

These individuals should be reliable, responsible, and capable of making important decisions in your best interests.

You may appoint more than one attorney, and you can decide whether they act jointly or independently depending on how you want decisions to be made.

Choosing the right attorneys is one of the most important parts of the process.

Step 2: Completing the Legal Documents

Once your attorneys are chosen, the LPA forms must be completed with clear instructions about how you want the arrangement to work.

This includes specifying the type of LPA being created and setting out any preferences or instructions for your attorneys to follow.

The documents must then be signed in the correct order, including certification to confirm that you understand what you are signing and are not under pressure.

Step 3: Registering the LPA

An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

You don't have to register an LPA application immediately, but registration ensures the document is legally valid and can be relied upon in the future.

This process typically takes many (up to 16) weeks, costs £92 per application (currently), so it is important to put an LPA in place well in advance rather than waiting until it is urgently needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many delays and issues arise from simple mistakes during the setup process.

These can include incorrect signing order, unclear instructions, or choosing attorneys without fully considering their responsibilities.

Errors can lead to delays in registration or problems when the LPA is needed later.

Getting the structure right from the beginning is essential.

Why Planning Ahead Matters

A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be created while you still have mental capacity.

Once capacity is lost, it is no longer possible to put an LPA in place.

This is why it is widely considered a key part of early estate planning, alongside making a Will.

Without an LPA, families may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which can delay access to financial accounts and restrict decision-making authority.

How This Fits Into Your Estate Planning

An LPA protects you during your lifetime.

Your Will protects your wishes after death.

Together, they form the foundation of a complete estate plan.

For most people, the most effective approach is to ensure both are in place and kept up to date.

Start Here – Getting the Right Structure in Place

If you are considering setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney, the next step is ensuring it is structured correctly and tailored to your circumstances.

Explore the different types:

👉 Health and Welfare Power of Attorney

👉 Property and Financial Affairs Power of Attorney