Lasting Power of Attorney Cost UK 2026

UK adults setting up a lasting power of attorney need a clear view of what it costs: the fixed Office of the Public Guardian fee, the reductions and exemptions available, and how professional fees are charged on top. This guide explains the cost of an LPA in England and Wales, citing the Office of the Public Guardian and Money Helper. Kael Tripton is an editorial publisher and not a regulated legal services provider. This article is information only and is not legal advice. Anyone weighing the cost of setting up an LPA should consult an SRA-authorised solicitor or Citizens Advice for case-specific guidance.

What an LPA actually costs

The cost of a lasting power of attorney has two parts: the fixed statutory fee charged by the Office of the Public Guardian to register the document, and any professional fees a person chooses to pay for help drafting it. The statutory fee is £92 per LPA, payable on applications received from 17 November 2025 (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). This is the only charge that is fixed by law and the same for everyone.

Because the LPA for property and financial affairs and the LPA for health and welfare are separate documents, registering both means paying the £92 fee twice. A couple each setting up both types of LPA would therefore face four registration fees in total. The fee is the same whether the donor completes the LPA online, on paper, or with a solicitor, because it covers registration by the OPG rather than the drafting of the document (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026).

Reduced fees and exemptions

The Office of the Public Guardian operates two forms of fee assistance for donors on lower incomes. A 50 percent reduction, known as a remission, applies where the donor's gross annual income is below £12,000. A full exemption, meaning no fee at all, applies where the donor receives certain means-tested benefits such as Income Support, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, or Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026).

Both the reduction and the exemption are claimed using form LPA120, submitted with evidence of the donor's financial circumstances. The test looks at the donor's income, not the attorney's. A donor who has received a personal injury award of more than a set amount may not qualify, so the guidance should be checked in each case. Money Helper, the government-backed guidance service, also explains where free or low-cost help with the wider process can be found (moneyhelper.org.uk, accessed June 2026).

Professional fees on top

The OPG fee covers registration only. Anyone who wants a solicitor or a will-writing professional to draft the LPA, advise on instructions, or check the document before submission pays a separate fee for that service. These professional fees are set by each firm rather than by statute, so they vary, and they are charged in addition to the £92 registration fee (Office of the Public Guardian and Money Helper, accessed June 2026).

For a straightforward LPA, the government online service allows a donor to complete and register the document without professional help, in which case the only cost is the registration fee or the reduced fee where eligible. Where the donor wants tailored instructions, advice on how the LPA interacts with a will or trust, or reassurance that the document is correct, professional help adds cost but can reduce the risk of errors that lead to rejection. The trade-off between cost and complexity is the central decision.

Common cost mistakes

A frequent misunderstanding is assuming a single fee covers both types of LPA. Because they are separate documents, each carries its own £92 fee (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). Another is failing to claim a reduction or exemption that the donor is entitled to, which means paying more than necessary. The LPA120 process exists precisely to lower the cost for donors on low incomes or means-tested benefits.

Errors in the application are also a hidden cost. If the OPG rejects an application because of mistakes in the document, a further fee may be needed to apply again. Checking the document carefully, or having it checked, before submission helps avoid paying twice.

How this connects to wills and probate

The cost of an LPA is one part of the wider cost of planning ahead. Many people budget for an LPA alongside the cost of writing a will, since the two are often set up together, and later the estate faces probate fees after death. The LPA covers the window during life when capacity may be lost, while the will and probate cover the estate after death.

Setting up the LPA for property and financial affairs and a will in the same sitting can sometimes reduce overall professional fees, because a solicitor handling both at once may charge less than for two separate pieces of work. Looking at the LPA, will, and likely probate costs together gives a fuller picture than treating each in isolation.

When to use a solicitor versus doing it yourself

The lowest-cost route is the government online service, which carries only the registration fee and is widely used for straightforward LPAs (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). For a donor with simple finances and clear wishes, this keeps the total cost to the statutory fee or the reduced fee.

Paying for professional help becomes more relevant where the donor owns a business, holds assets abroad, wants complex instructions, or has a family situation where disputes are possible. The added fee buys tailored drafting and a check against rejection. The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority maintain registers of authorised solicitors, and fees should be confirmed in advance (lawsociety.org.uk and sra.org.uk, accessed June 2026). The decision rests on how complex the donor's affairs are.

FAQ: lasting power of attorney cost

How much does it cost to register an LPA?

The Office of the Public Guardian charges £92 to register each LPA, for applications received from 17 November 2025 (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). Because the financial LPA and the health and welfare LPA are separate documents, registering both means paying £184 in total. The fee is the same whether the LPA is made online, on paper, or by a solicitor.

Can I pay a reduced fee or nothing at all?

Yes, if the donor qualifies. A 50 percent reduction applies where the donor's gross income is below £12,000 a year, and a full exemption applies where the donor receives certain means-tested benefits (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). Both are claimed using form LPA120 with evidence of the donor's finances. The test is based on the donor's income, not the attorney's.

Why am I being quoted hundreds of pounds?

Quotes above the registration fee usually include professional drafting by a solicitor or will-writer, which is charged separately and is not fixed by statute (Office of the Public Guardian and Money Helper, accessed June 2026). The £92 OPG fee only covers registration. A donor who completes the LPA through the government online service pays only the registration fee, or the reduced fee where eligible.

Is it cheaper to set up both LPAs at once?

The OPG fee is charged per LPA, so registering both still means two fees of £92 (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). Any saving comes from professional fees, because a solicitor handling both LPAs together, or an LPA and a will together, may charge less than for separate pieces of work. Confirm fees with the firm in advance.

Does the fee change each year?

The OPG fee is set by the government and reviewed periodically rather than rising automatically each year. It increased from £82 to £92 for applications received from 17 November 2025 (Office of the Public Guardian, gov.uk, accessed June 2026). Because fees can change, the current figure should always be checked on gov.uk before applying.