Power of attorney cost in the UK
Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with the Office of the Public Guardian costs £92 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 £92 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 a court fee (currently over £400) plus £1,500–£3,000 in solicitor fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LPA cost in the UK in 2026?▾
£92 per LPA registered with the OPG. If you register both Property & Financial and Health & Welfare LPAs, that's £184 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 — a court application fee (currently over £400) plus £1,500–£3,000 in legal fees, plus an annual £320 supervision fee.
Related UK legal cost guides
Sources & how we estimate
Fee ranges are typical UK figures compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published solicitor price lists (required under SRA transparency rules) and are estimates, not quotes. Court and government fees and legal processes come from the official sources below. This is general information, not legal advice.
- GOV.UK — Applying for probate
- GOV.UK — Make a lasting power of attorney
- GOV.UK — Making a will
- Solicitors Regulation Authority — Price transparency rules
- Law Society — Find a solicitor
- Legal Ombudsman — Complaints about legal services
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