Your decisions,
protected.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more trusted people (called "attorneys") to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to make them yourself. There are two types: Health & Welfare, and Property & Financial Affairs.

A will only takes effect after you die. An LPA protects you while you're alive. Without an LPA, if you lose mental capacity your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection to manage your affairs — a process that can take over a year and cost thousands of pounds.

Anyone over 18 who has mental capacity can be your attorney, provided they are not bankrupt (for a Property & Finance LPA). Most people choose family members, close friends, or a professional such as a solicitor. You can appoint more than one attorney.

A certificate provider is an independent person who confirms that you understand the LPA and are not being pressured into making it. They must either have known you well for at least two years, or have relevant professional skills (such as a doctor, solicitor, or social worker).

The OPG currently takes around 10-15 weeks to register an LPA once it has been submitted. This is why it's so important to make an LPA while you're in good health — it won't be usable until registration is complete.

Yes. As long as you still have mental capacity, you can cancel (revoke) your LPA at any time by completing an official "deed of revocation" and notifying the OPG and your attorneys. We can guide you through this process.

If you lose mental capacity without an LPA, your family will need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This process is more expensive (often £2,000-£5,000+), takes much longer (typically 6-12 months), and the court may appoint someone you wouldn't have chosen.