A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people, your attorneys, to help you make decisions or make them for you if you can't. In England and Wales there are two types, health and welfare and property and financial affairs, and as of Nov 2026 registering one costs 92 pounds unless you get a reduction or exemption.
Nobody likes thinking about an accident or illness that leaves them unable to decide things for themselves, which is exactly why so many people put this off. An LPA is how you choose, while you still can, who steps in. Here's what each type covers, who can make one, the steps GOV.UK sets out and what registration involves.
The two types side by side
| Health and welfare | Property and financial affairs | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Decisions about your daily routine (washing, dressing, eating), medical care, moving into a care home and life-sustaining treatment | Decisions about money and property, such as managing a bank or building society account, paying bills, collecting benefits or a pension, and selling your home |
| When it can be used | Only when you're unable to make your own decisions | As soon as it's registered, with your permission |
| Where it's legally binding | England and Wales only | England and Wales only |
You can choose to make one type or both. GOV.UK describes the purpose of an LPA as giving you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and can't make your own decisions, which it calls lacking mental capacity.
The money LPA can start working straight away
This is the difference most people don't expect. A health and welfare LPA can only be used when you're unable to make your own decisions. A property and financial affairs LPA is different: GOV.UK says it can be used as soon as it's registered, with your permission. So it isn't only a plan for the worst case. With your say-so, the person you trust can help with paying bills or managing an account while you're still perfectly able to decide things yourself.
If you run a business on your own, that's worth a thought. The examples GOV.UK gives, managing an account and paying bills, are the day-to-day jobs that stop if you're suddenly out of action. If you're still deciding how to structure your business, this comparison of sole trader vs limited company covers the two most common set-ups.
Who can make an LPA
You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity, meaning the ability to make your own decisions, when you make your LPA. You don't need to live in the UK or be a British citizen to make one. GOV.UK calls the person making it the donor, and the people appointed are the attorneys. You can have more than one attorney.
The limit is that capacity rule. An LPA has to be made while you can still make your own decisions, so it can't be set up after an accident or illness has taken that ability away.
How to make and register one, step by step
- Choose your attorney. You can have more than one.
- Fill in the forms to appoint them as an attorney.
- Register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian.
- Pay the registration fee of 92 pounds, unless you get a reduction or exemption.
- Allow 8 to 10 weeks for registration, which is how long GOV.UK says it takes if there are no mistakes in the application.
That last condition matters. The 8 to 10 week estimate assumes a clean application, so it's worth checking every form carefully before you send it. GOV.UK's guide also has sections on choosing your attorney, certifying a copy of an LPA, changes you need to report, removing an attorney and ending an LPA.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and changing your mind
An LPA made this way is legally binding only in England and Wales. GOV.UK says there's a different way to make a power of attorney if you need one that works in Scotland or in Northern Ireland. If you've already made an LPA, you can manage or use it through GOV.UK, and you can cancel your LPA if you no longer need it or want to make a new one.
The guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
Getting help from the Office of the Public Guardian
If you need help deciding whether to make an LPA, GOV.UK says to contact the Office of the Public Guardian. You can email [email protected] or call 0300 456 0300. The phone lines are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Wednesday from 10am to 5pm. GOV.UK also links to services to find out if someone has an attorney, deputy or guardian acting for them, and to report a concern about one.
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An LPA sits naturally alongside the rest of your later-life planning, and this piece on the outlook for defined contribution pensions covers the money side of that picture.
My advice on a lasting power of attorney
Make one while it's easy, not when it's urgent. You have to have mental capacity to make it and registration takes 8 to 10 weeks even when the forms are right, so this is something to do in a calm month, not a crisis. Start with GOV.UK's Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney guide, decide whether you need one type or both, and talk to the people you'd choose before you name them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lasting power of attorney?
It's a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people, called attorneys, to help you make decisions or make decisions on your behalf if you can't make your own.
What are the two types of LPA?
Health and welfare, and property and financial affairs. You can make one type or both.
How much does it cost to register an LPA?
As of Nov 2026, applying to register an LPA costs 92 pounds unless you get a reduction or exemption.
How long does it take to register a lasting power of attorney?
GOV.UK says registration with the Office of the Public Guardian takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes in the application.
Do I need to live in the UK to make an LPA?
No. You don't need to live in the UK or be a British citizen. You must be 18 or over and have mental capacity when you make it.
Does an LPA work in Scotland?
No. An LPA is legally binding only in England and Wales. There's a different way to make a power of attorney that works in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
