Lasting Powers of Attorney: Preparation & Registration
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you choose trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose the ability to make them yourself. It gives you total control over who manages your affairs, covering either your finances, your health and welfare, or both. Without an LPA, your family must apply to the Court of Protection to make decisions for you—a process that can be highly complex, lengthy and expensive.
Arrange your LPA: advice, preparation and registration
This is the main guide to AJ W. E. Bennetts’ standalone LPA service in England and Wales. It brings together the two types of LPA, the solicitor’s fees, separate OPG registration charges, certificate-provider guidance and the signing process. You can arrange an LPA without also making a Will.
Preparing for your initial consultation
- Consider whether you want a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, a Health and Welfare LPA, or both.
- Think about whom you trust to act as your attorneys, and possible replacement attorneys.
- Discuss your wishes and whether attorneys should act together or separately.
- Choose an office appointment, video consultation or home visit in London, as appropriate.
The sections below explain preparation, signing and OPG registration. Local appointment information, combined Will and LPA packages, and the separate article about losing capacity without an LPA are linked from this page.
Lasting Powers of Attorney Fees
OPG registration fees
What’s included
- Preparation of Property & Financial Affairs and/or Health & Welfare LPAs to manage bank accounts, bills, property, investments, medical treatment, care arrangements and daily welfare decisions.
- Acting as your Certificate provider, where appropriate, and guidance on the choice of attorneys and replacements.
- The initial consultation and signing appointment are included in the fee. This can take place in the office or via a home visit (London).
- Registration of your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian and safe storage advice.
Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney Packages
- Two LPAs and a Simple Will for one individual
- £575 no VAT
- A couple doing 2 LPAs each and Simple Mirror Wills
- £1,100 no VAT
OPG registration fees are additional.
View Will & LPA PackagesUnsure of what the requirements are? Get in touch using the options below.
Submitting an enquiry does not create a solicitor-client relationship. An engagement begins only after the terms of engagement have been agreed and confirmed.
Lasting Powers of Attorney explained
- What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
- The two types of LPA
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA
- Health and Welfare LPA
- Do I need one LPA or two?
- Who can be an attorney?
- Who can act as the certificate provider?
- How does the LPA signing process work?
- How long does an LPA take?
- How much does an LPA cost?
- What does the Office of the Public Guardian charge?
- What happens if someone loses capacity without an LPA?
- Can I make an LPA for an elderly parent?
- Can an LPA be cancelled?
- LPA solicitor in Teddington
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people you trust (your ‘attorneys’) to make decisions on your behalf. It must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it can be used.
The two types of LPA
There are two types of LPA in England and Wales. They are separate documents, and you can make one or both.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This allows your attorneys to manage your money and property — for example paying bills, dealing with your bank and building society accounts, collecting benefits or a pension, and selling your home. With your permission, it can be used while you still have mental capacity, as well as if you lose it.
Health and Welfare LPA
This allows your attorneys to make decisions about your daily routine, medical care, moving into a care home and, if you choose, life-sustaining treatment. It can only be used once you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
Do I need one LPA or two?
Many people make both, so that their finances and their personal welfare are covered. Some people only need one — for example, where the main concern is managing property and savings. I will talk through your circumstances at the initial consultation so you can decide what suits you.
Who can be an attorney?
An attorney must be aged 18 or over and have mental capacity. For a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, they must not be bankrupt or subject to a debt relief order. Many people choose a spouse, partner, adult children or close friends, and it is sensible to consider replacement attorneys too.
Who can act as the certificate provider?
The certificate provider confirms that you understand the LPA and are not being pressured into making it. It must be either someone who has known you personally for at least two years, or someone with relevant professional skills, such as a solicitor. Your attorneys and members of your family cannot act. Where appropriate, I can act as your certificate provider as part of the fee.
How does the LPA signing process work?
- An initial consultation to discuss your wishes and choice of attorneys
- I prepare the LPA forms for you to review
- A signing appointment at the office in Teddington, by video, or on a home visit (London)
- Your attorneys and certificate provider sign in the required order
- The completed LPA is submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration
How long does an LPA take?
Preparing and signing the documents can usually be done quickly once the initial consultation has taken place. Registration is then handled by the Office of the Public Guardian, and its processing times vary — it can take several weeks or longer. The LPA cannot be used until it has been registered.
How much does an LPA cost?
My fixed fee is £160 for one LPA and £290 for two LPAs prepared for one individual, with no VAT. Fees for couples are shown in the LPA fees table above. Combined Will and LPA fees are shown in the separate package box above.
What does the Office of the Public Guardian charge?
The OPG charges a £92 registration fee per LPA, in addition to my fees. Reductions or exemptions may be available depending on your income or benefits, as set out in the OPG registration fees box above.
What happens if someone loses capacity without an LPA?
If there is no registered LPA, family members do not automatically have the right to manage your affairs. They may need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as a deputy, which can be highly complex, lengthy and expensive. Health decisions may be made by professionals in your best interests.
Can I make an LPA for an elderly parent?
An LPA must be made by the person themselves, and they must have the mental capacity to make it. You can help your parent arrange it, and I can meet them at home (London) or by video to take their instructions directly and make sure they understand what they are signing.
Can an LPA be cancelled?
Yes. While you still have mental capacity you can revoke an LPA, including a registered one, by making a formal revocation and notifying the Office of the Public Guardian and your attorneys.
LPA solicitor in Teddington
I am based at 20 The Causeway, Teddington, TW11 0HE, and prepare LPAs for clients in Teddington and across South West London, with home visits available in London and video appointments for those further afield.