Cost guide
How much does a Lasting Power of Attorney cost in the UK?
In short. Registering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with the Office of the Public Guardian costs £82 per LPA in England and Wales. Most people set up two (property and financial affairs, and health and welfare), so the registration cost is £164 each — plus any solicitor fees.
The registration fee is set by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and is the same whether you use a solicitor or apply yourself. Around half of OPG decisions go through with no professional help — but a solicitor reduces the risk of rejection and helps with the more complex 'replacement attorney' and 'restrictions' clauses.
Last reviewed:
·Typical range: £82–£700 (per LPA)Typical breakdown
| Item | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| OPG registration fee (England & Wales) per LPA | £82 | |
| Both types (property & financial + health & welfare) | £164 | |
| Couples doing four LPAs in total | £328 | |
| Fee exemption (low income / certain benefits) | £0 | |
| Fee remission 50% (income under £12,000) | £41 per LPA | |
| DIY using GOV.UK online service | £0 admin + £82 OPG fee | |
| Solicitor-drafted (per LPA) | £200–£500 | |
| Solicitor pair of LPAs | £350–£800 | |
| Office of the Care and Protection (Northern Ireland) — Enduring PA | £151 court fee | |
| Scotland — Power of Attorney registration with OPG Scotland | £85 |
What changes the cost
- England & Wales vs Scotland vs Northern Ireland (different fees and rules)
- Whether you qualify for a fee exemption or 50% remission
- Number of attorneys, replacement attorneys and restrictions
- Whether you also need a will drafted at the same time
Worth knowing
- Apply for a fee exemption with form LPA120A if you receive certain means-tested benefits, or fee remission if your gross annual income is below £12,000.
- Doing both LPA types at once is more efficient — the OPG often processes them together and there's no extra discount, but solicitors usually charge less for the pair.
- An LPA is only effective once registered. Many people put one in place but never register it — when needed, the registration takes 8–10 weeks.
FAQ
- Do I need an LPA if I'm married?
- Yes. Marriage gives no automatic right to manage your spouse's finances. Without an LPA, your spouse would need to apply to the Court of Protection (a more expensive and slower process) to act on your behalf if you lose capacity.
- Can I use one form for both types of LPA?
- No. There are two separate forms (LP1F for property and financial affairs, LP1H for health and welfare), each with its own fee. Many people do both at once.
- Is there a quicker / cheaper alternative?
- A General Power of Attorney is cheaper but only works while you still have capacity — it ends if you lose it. Only an LPA continues to work after capacity is lost, which is when it's usually needed.