A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows someone you trust (your ‘attorney’) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself.

An LPA ensures your wishes are respected and important decisions are made by someone you trust if you're ever unable to make them yourself due to illness, injury, or age.

The OPG is a government body that oversees LPAs and ensures attorneys act in your best interests.

A deputyship order is a legal document issued by the Court of Protection in England and Wales. It gives one or more people (called deputies) the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to make those decisions themselves.

No. Anyone over the age of 18 can make an LPA. It’s about planning ahead—accidents or illness can happen at any age.

There are two types:

Health and Welfare LPA – covers decisions about medical treatment, care, and living arrangements.

Property and Financial Affairs LPA – covers decisions about money, bills, property, and bank accounts.

That depends on your situation, but many people choose to have both to ensure all areas of their life are covered.

You’ll need to complete the official forms, have them signed and witnessed correctly, and then register them with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

Yes, they must be registered with the OPG before they can be used. This applies to both types of LPA.

Registration usually takes around 8 to 10 weeks, depending on the OPG’s workload.

It costs £82 per LPA to register in England and Wales. Some people may qualify for a fee reduction or exemption.