A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one of the most important legal documents you can have, yet many people don't fully understand what it is or why they need one.
An LPA is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people (your 'attorneys') to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. There are two types of LPA: one for Property & Financial Affairs, and one for Health & Welfare.
A Property & Financial Affairs LPA allows your attorneys to manage your bank accounts, pay bills, sell property, and deal with your financial matters. A Health & Welfare LPA covers decisions about your medical treatment, care arrangements, and daily routine.
In 2026, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has continued to modernise the LPA registration process. The digital registration system, fully rolled out in 2025, now allows faster processing times — often within 4-6 weeks compared to the previous 12-16 weeks.
It's important to set up LPAs while you are fit and well. You must have mental capacity to create an LPA, so leaving it too late could mean you're unable to put one in place when you need it most.
Without LPAs, your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order — a process that can take months and cost thousands of pounds.
At Castle Family Legal, our LPA fees start from as little as £150 each. We'll walk you through the entire process, helping you choose the right attorneys and making sure everything is properly registered.
