Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) services for London residents — both property and financial affairs, and health and welfare LPAs. Essential planning for loss of mental capacity, drafted and registered correctly.
Get matched free
Free · No obligation · 24hr response
Paid by our network, never by you
Get matched free
Free · No obligation · 24hr response
Paid by our network, never by you
Lasting Power of Attorney: what you need to know
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more trusted people — your attorneys — to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. Without an LPA in place, your family has no legal authority to manage your affairs, regardless of your relationship. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection — a lengthy, expensive, and distressing process.
There are two types of LPA: a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, which covers bank accounts, property, investments, and financial decisions; and a Health and Welfare LPA, which covers medical treatment, care arrangements, and daily living decisions. Both types are essential — a financial attorney has no authority over health decisions and vice versa.
LPAs must be signed while you have mental capacity and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian — a process that currently takes approximately 20 weeks. This means starting early is essential. Our matched specialists ensure your LPAs are drafted correctly, executed properly, and registered efficiently.
Why it matters for your estate
Avoid Court of Protection Proceedings
Without an LPA, family members have no legal authority to manage your affairs if you lose capacity. A deputyship application to the Court of Protection can take 6-12 months, cost several thousand pounds, and requires ongoing annual reporting. An LPA prevents all of this.
You Choose Your Attorneys
An LPA gives you control over who makes decisions on your behalf. You can appoint multiple attorneys, specify how they must act (jointly or independently), and include specific instructions or preferences within the document itself.
Health Decision Authority
A Health and Welfare LPA allows your attorneys to make decisions about medical treatment, care home placements, and daily living — including the right to refuse or consent to life-sustaining treatment if you choose to include this power.
Financial Management Continuity
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows your attorneys to manage bank accounts, pay bills, collect income, deal with property, and make investment decisions on your behalf — essential for keeping finances running if you are unable to manage them yourself.
Common mistakes
Three mistakes that delay or derail an LPA
1. Not registering the LPA until it's needed
An LPA only takes effect once registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, which currently takes 16-20 weeks. Waiting until you need the LPA (e.g. after a sudden stroke) means months of delay during which no-one can act. A specialist registers it immediately, then it sits ready to use.
2. Choosing only one attorney with no replacement
If your sole attorney dies, becomes incapacitated, or refuses to act, the LPA fails entirely and the Court of Protection takes over (slow, expensive, and your wishes are no longer the deciding factor). A specialist always recommends a replacement attorney structure.
3. Combining property/financial and health/welfare into one decision
These are two separate LPAs requiring separate forms, separate registration fees, and often different attorneys. Many people set up only the property/financial one and discover at the worst moment that no-one is authorised to make health decisions on their behalf.
Pairs well with
Single Will
An LPA without a will leaves a critical gap — your attorney can manage your affairs while you live, but on death the estate falls to intestacy rules unless a will is in place. Most LPA clients don't already have an up-to-date will.
See single willIs lasting power of attorney right for you?
Lasting Powers of Attorney are essential for:
- All adults — loss of mental capacity can happen at any age through accident, illness, or dementia, and an LPA cannot be made after capacity is lost
- Those approaching or in later life, particularly where cognitive decline is a concern
- Business owners needing to ensure business decisions can be made on their behalf without interruption
- Those with complex financial affairs including property, investments, or overseas assets
- Anyone who has seen a family member go through Court of Protection proceedings and wants to prevent the same for their loved ones
How the process works
Consultation and Attorney Planning
Your specialist discusses the two types of LPA, explains attorney duties and responsibilities, and helps you think through who to appoint, how they should act, and whether any specific instructions or restrictions are needed.
LPA Drafting
Both LPA documents are drafted and sent to you for review. Your specialist explains every section including the certificate provider requirement, how to notify people of your LPA, and the legal implications of each provision.
Execution Process
LPAs require signatures from you, your attorneys, and a certificate provider (an independent person who confirms you understand the document and are not under pressure). Your specialist guides everyone through this process correctly.
OPG Registration
Your completed LPAs are submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration. Current processing time is approximately 20 weeks. Your specialist manages this process and notifies you when registration is confirmed.
Lasting Power of Attorney across London
Our network covers lasting power of attorney specialists across all major London areas. Select your area to find specialists who serve your neighbourhood specifically.