LPA vs EPA — What's the Difference? UK Guide 2026
If you are researching power of attorney in the UK, you will quickly come across two terms: LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney) and EPA (Enduring Power of Attorney). Many people are confused about the difference, which one they need, and whether an old EPA is still valid. This guide explains everything clearly.
LPA vs EPA — The Key Difference
LPA — Lasting Power of Attorney
Current — 2007 to presentThe modern version of power of attorney in England and Wales. Introduced by the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and available from October 2007.
- Two types: Property & Financial and Health & Welfare
- Must be registered with the OPG before use
- Can be used while donor has capacity (Property LPA)
- Covers health and welfare decisions
- Costs £92 per document to register
EPA — Enduring Power of Attorney
Old — pre-October 2007 onlyThe predecessor to the LPA, which was replaced in October 2007. No new EPAs can be created, but existing ones remain valid.
- Only covers property and financial affairs
- Does not cover health and welfare decisions
- Must be registered with OPG when donor loses capacity
- Cannot be created after October 2007
- EPAs made before Oct 2007 are still valid
Is My Old EPA Still Valid?
Yes. An EPA created before 1st October 2007 remains legally valid and does not need to be replaced with an LPA. However, it must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian when the donor is losing or has lost mental capacity — it does not need to be registered beforehand.
If you have an EPA and are concerned about its validity, check that it was signed and witnessed correctly, that it covers the decisions you need, and that it has not been revoked.
⚠️ Important limitation of EPAs: An EPA only covers property and financial affairs. It does not cover health and welfare decisions — such as medical treatment, care arrangements or end-of-life preferences. If you want someone to make health decisions on your behalf, you will need to create a Health & Welfare LPA in addition to any existing EPA.
Can I Create a New EPA?
No. It has not been possible to create a new Enduring Power of Attorney since 1st October 2007. All new power of attorney documents in England and Wales must be Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) documents, registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Which Do I Need — LPA or EPA?
If you are setting up power of attorney for the first time in 2026, you need an LPA — specifically:
- A Property and Financial Affairs LPA to cover bank accounts, investments, property and bills
- A Health and Welfare LPA to cover medical treatment, care and daily routine
If you already have an EPA from before 2007, it is still valid for financial matters — but you should consider creating a Health & Welfare LPA to fill the gap in health decision-making.
Do You Need to Register an EPA?
Unlike an LPA, an EPA does not need to be registered before it is used — it only needs to be registered with the OPG when the donor is losing or has lost mental capacity. At that point, the attorney must notify certain family members and register the EPA with the OPG. The OPG registration fee for an EPA is £92, the same as for an LPA.
If in doubt: If you are unsure whether your existing EPA is valid or sufficient, the OPG has a helpline you can call. For new arrangements, create a Lasting Power of Attorney using Doxly — it covers both financial and health decisions and is the current legal standard.
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