Power of attorney cost in the UK
Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with the Office of the Public Guardian costs £82 per document in 2026. There are two LPA types — Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare — and most people register both. Using a solicitor to draft and register adds £400–£700 per LPA; online services such as Farewill, Co-op Legal and the gov.uk DIY route are significantly cheaper.
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Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
OPG registration fee (per LPA) | £82 |
Registration fee — income under £12,000 50% reduction | £41 |
Registration fee — on means-tested benefits exemption | — |
Solicitor to draft single LPA + VAT | £400–£700 |
Solicitor to draft both LPAs + VAT | £700–£1,200 |
Online LPA service (e.g. Farewill) + OPG fee | £90–£180 |
Certificate provider (independent) | £0–£100 |
Factors affecting cost
- ·Whether one or both LPA types are registered.
- ·Number of attorneys appointed (jointly, severally, or jointly for some decisions).
- ·Use of replacement attorneys and conditional instructions.
- ·Whether a solicitor or independent person acts as certificate provider.
- ·Mental capacity concerns at signing — may require a GP capacity assessment (£200–£400).
How to reduce costs
- ·If household income is under £12,000, claim the 50% OPG fee reduction.
- ·If you receive certain means-tested benefits (Income Support, Guarantee Pension Credit), apply for full exemption.
- ·Use gov.uk's DIY online tool to draft both LPAs — the only mandatory cost is the £82 OPG fee.
- ·Many banks (Lloyds, Halifax, Barclays) waive their internal LPA registration fee.
- ·Register before mental capacity becomes an issue — registering after deterioration may require a Court of Protection application costing £371 plus £1,500–£3,000 in solicitor fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LPA cost in the UK in 2026?▾
£82 per LPA registered with the OPG. If you register both Property & Financial and Health & Welfare LPAs, that's £164 total. Solicitor fees are additional.
What's the difference between Property & Financial and Health & Welfare LPA?▾
Property & Financial covers money, bills and property decisions, and can be used while you still have capacity. Health & Welfare covers medical and care decisions, and can only be used when you lose capacity.
Do I need a solicitor for an LPA?▾
No. Many people complete LPAs themselves using gov.uk. A solicitor adds value where the family situation is complex or where capacity is borderline.
How long does LPA registration take?▾
Currently 16–20 weeks at the OPG in 2026. Apply well before the document is needed.
What happens if you don't have an LPA and lose capacity?▾
Family must apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order — £371 application fee plus £1,500–£3,000 in legal fees, plus an annual £320 supervision fee.