Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)


No one wants to imagine a time when their mental faculties fail them. It makes sense to consider what might happen to your welfare, your assets and your personal affairs if you were to lose your mental capacity; for example through an accident or illness.
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) enable you to set out your wishes in a legal document and to appoint trusted people as 'attorneys' to oversee them. They can also protect your friends and family members from the cost and difficulty of applying to the Court of Protection each time a decision must be made.

The Office of the Public Guardian is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, responsible for maintaining the register of LPAs.

If you wish to set up an LPA - click below to find out more about the two main types.

If you're concerned about someone else's decision-making ability - click here for more information.

Property and Affairs LPAs

Property

Designed to help your chosen attorney(s) deal with property and financial matters.

Find Out more

Personal Welfare LPAs

Personal welfare

Designed to cover every aspect of your care and welfare, only in the event of you lacking decision-making capacity in the future.

Find Out more

What about Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs)?

EPAs were replaced by LPAs on 1st Oct 2007.

LPAs are more flexible than EPAs; for example they can empower attorneys to make personal welfare decisions.

If you are happy with your existing EPA there's no need to change it; it will remain valid.

If you wish to appoint a replacement attorney, appoint an attorney to make personal welfare decisions,  or make other changes, you may want to consider preparing an LPA alongside your existing EPA.

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