Your care. Your finances. Your choice.
An LPA puts the right person in control before it’s ever needed. We handle everything from start to finish.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, is a legal document that lets you choose someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose mental or physical capacity. The person you appoint is known as your attorney, and they are legally required to act in your best interests at all times.
There are two types of LPA:
Property and Financial Affairs
Health and Welfare
You can set up one or both, depending on your circumstances. We’ll help you decide what’s right for you.
We'll handle everything from start to finish
Setting up an LPA is simpler than you think. Here’s how it works.
1
1. Talk it through
Your dedicated consultant will explain your options and take your instructions. No jargon, no pressure.
2
2. We prepare everything
We draft your documents and send them to the right people for signing.
3
3. Registered and ready
We submit your documents to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration. Once approved, your LPA is legally valid.
What happens if I don't have a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Most people assume their family can step in and take care of things if something happens to them. In reality, without an LPA in place, they can’t. Your spouse, partner or children have no automatic legal right to access your bank accounts, manage your finances or make decisions about your care. An LPA gives them that power, before it’s ever needed.
Here are some of the reasons it matters.
Don't let a court decide what happens to you
Without an LPA, your loved ones could find themselves fighting through the Court of Protection just to be allowed to help you. It’s a lengthy, costly and deeply stressful process at a time when the last thing they need is more to deal with. Setting up an LPA now costs a fraction of what deputyship proceedings can cost later.
Peace of mind
An LPA means that if something happens to you, the right person can step in straight away. Your bills get paid, your finances are managed, and your care is in the hands of someone who knows you and has your best interests at heart.
You stay in control
When you set up an LPA, you decide who acts on your behalf and what decisions they can make. You can place restrictions, add guidance, and even cancel it later if your circumstances change. It’s your document, built around your wishes.
An LPA isn't just for emergencies
n LPA can be used even while you still have full mental capacity. If you travel frequently, live abroad for part of the year, or simply want someone you trust to help manage your affairs, an LPA makes that possible without any legal complications.
Do I need one LPA or two?
There are two types of LPA and they cover very different things. Some people set up both, others only need one. Here’s what each one covers so you can decide what’s right for your situation.
Property & Financial
This includes:
Managing bank accounts, savings and investments
Paying bills and collecting your pension or benefits
Buying, selling or maintaining property
Making financial gifts on your behalf
Health & Welfare
This includes:
Deciding where you live, including whether to move into a care home
Accepting or refusing medical treatment on your behalf
Managing your day to day care, including medicines, diet and routine
FAQ
Who can set up a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Anyone over the age of 18 who has mental capacity can set up an LPA. This is why we always recommend doing it sooner rather than later. Once capacity is lost, it’s too late.
What does mental capacity mean?
Mental capacity means you are able to understand, retain and communicate decisions when they need to be made. You must be able to understand what you are deciding, why you are deciding it and what the consequences of that decision might be.
Will my attorney be able to overrule me?
No. While you have mental capacity, your attorney must follow your instructions and cannot override your decisions. You can also cancel your LPA at any time. Even after capacity is lost, your attorney is legally required to act in your best interests and involve you in decisions wherever possible.
How many attorneys can I appoint?
You can appoint as many as you like, though more than four is generally impractical. We recommend appointing at least two, so that if one becomes unavailable, your LPA remains valid without needing to start again.
Who can I choose as my attorney?
Anyone over the age of 18. Most people choose a spouse, partner, adult child or close friend. You can also appoint a professional if you prefer.
Can my attorneys make decisions independently of each other?
That is entirely your choice. You can require them to agree on all decisions, or allow them to act independently for day to day matters while requiring agreement on more significant ones.
What is the difference between an EPA and an LPA?
Enduring Powers of Attorney were replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney in 2007. If you have an EPA made before 1 October 2007, it remains valid, but updating to an LPA offers greater protection and is far more secure.
How do I cancel a Lasting Power of Attorney?
If you have mental capacity, you can cancel your LPA by sending the original document and a Deed of Revocation to the Office of the Public Guardian. We can guide you through this process if needed.
When is the best time to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney?
As early as possible. LPAs must be set up while you still have mental capacity, and registration with the OPG can take up to 20 weeks. Waiting until you need one means it could be too late.
How long does it take to register a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian can take up to 20 weeks. Around one in twenty applications are rejected due to minor errors, which means paying the application fee again and starting the process over. We handle everything from start to finish to make sure your application is right first time.
How do I use a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Once registered, your attorney can present the LPA to banks, healthcare providers and other organisations as proof of their authority. If your LPA was registered after July 2016, you can also authorise organisations to view it online through the Government’s LPA service.
How much does it cost to register an LPA?
The Office of the Public Guardian charges £92 per document to register an LPA. If you are receiving certain means-tested benefits, the fee may be waived. If your income is under £12,000 a year before tax, the fee can be reduced by half.
Why choose Bridgewells?
We are committed to protecting the people you love and the assets you’ve worked hard to build.
Because when the time comes, what you leave behind should go exactly where you intended.
5-star rated
Rated 5 stars by our clients.
Thousands of people helped
Thousands of families guided through Wills, trusts, LPAs and more.
We come to you
Online, by phone, at home or in our office.
Free no-obligation consultations
No pressure, no commitment. Just honest advice.
Talk to us today
Whether you’re ready to get started or just want to understand your options, we’re happy to help.
Fill in the form and we’ll be in touch, or give us a call.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Everything you need to know about writing your Will.
