How do I get or make 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 (known as 'attorneys') to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if, for example, you have an accident or an illness and can't make decisions at the time they need to be made (i.e. if you 'lack mental capacity').

There are two types of LPA

  • health and welfare
  • property and financial affairs

You can choose to make one type or both.

How to make a lasting power of attorney

  1. Choose your attorney or attorneys (you can have more than one).

  2. Fill in the LPA forms to appoint them.

  3. Register your LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (this can take up to 20 weeks).

It costs £82 to register each (LPA) unless you get a reduction or exemption. This means it will cost £164 to register both a property and financial affairs LPA and a health and welfare LPA.

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland the process may be different please check the mygov.scot and nidirect websites for further information.

Further Information

For further information and advice contact the Office of the Public Guardian on 0300 456 0300 or 0115 934 2778 (textphone), you can also email [email protected].

If you are unsure and would like help a solicitor can also arrange a power of attorney for you. You can find a solicitor in your area, by using the find a solicitor service on The Law Society website.

Age UK Surrey offer a Lasting Power of Attorney service, they also have useful and easy to understand information about the process available on their website.

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