How to Get Power of Attorney UK — Complete Step by Step Guide 2026
Getting power of attorney in the UK is one of the most important legal steps you can take — for yourself or for an elderly parent. Yet millions of people put it off, either because they think it's complicated, expensive, or only necessary when someone is already ill. This guide explains exactly how to get power of attorney in the UK, what it costs, how long it takes, and whether you really need a solicitor.
What is Power of Attorney in the UK?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust — called an attorney — to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity due to illness, accident or age-related conditions like dementia. In England and Wales, there are two types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA — covers bank accounts, investments, property sales, bills and pensions
- Health and Welfare LPA — covers medical treatment decisions, care arrangements, daily routine and end-of-life preferences
Many people confuse an LPA with an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA). EPAs were replaced by LPAs in October 2007. If you have an EPA made before that date, it is still valid but must be registered with the OPG when the donor loses capacity. You can no longer create a new EPA — all new power of attorney documents in England and Wales must be LPAs.
Key point: You must set up an LPA while you have mental capacity. Once you lose capacity, it is too late — and the only alternative is a costly Court of Protection order, which can take months and cost thousands of pounds.
How to Get Power of Attorney UK — Step by Step
Decide which type of LPA you need
Most people set up both a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and a Health & Welfare LPA. They cover different decisions and must be registered separately.
Choose your attorney
Your attorney must be 18 or over and have mental capacity. They can be a family member, friend or professional. Choose someone you completely trust, as they will have significant power over your affairs.
Generate your LPA forms
Use Doxly to generate your LPA forms online in around 10 minutes, for £4.99. This creates your personalised LPA document ready to print and sign.
Get a certificate provider to sign
A certificate provider (a GP, solicitor, social worker or independent adult who has known you at least 2 years) must confirm you understand the LPA and are not being pressured into it.
Get witnesses to sign
The donor and each attorney must sign in front of a witness. Witnesses must be 18+ and cannot be the attorney or their spouse/partner.
Register with the OPG
Send your completed LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian with the £92 registration fee. You can apply online or by post. Registration takes 8–20 weeks.
Store the registered LPA safely
Once registered, keep the original LPA in a safe place and let your attorney know where it is. You may need to provide certified copies to banks and other organisations.
Do You Need a Solicitor for Power of Attorney UK?
No — you do not need a solicitor to create or register a power of attorney in the UK. Thousands of people set up LPAs each year without solicitor involvement, using tools like Doxly to generate the forms. A solicitor is only recommended if your situation is unusually complex — for example, if you own business assets, have significant overseas property, or have concerns about family disputes.
That said, a certificate provider is required for every LPA — this is someone who confirms you understand the document and are not being coerced. A GP or solicitor can fulfil this role, but so can an independent adult who has known you for at least two years.
How Much Does Power of Attorney Cost UK?
The total cost of getting power of attorney in the UK depends on how you do it:
- Doxly (generate forms online): £4.99 per LPA document
- OPG registration fee: £92 per LPA (so £184 for both types)
- Solicitor-assisted: £300–£500 per LPA on top of the OPG fee
- Fee remission: You may qualify for a reduced or waived OPG fee if you receive certain means-tested benefits
Ready to Create Your LPA?
Generate your Lasting Power of Attorney online in 10 minutes. Free to preview — £4.99 to download.
Generate My LPA → £4.99How to Get Power of Attorney for an Elderly Parent UK
If you need to get power of attorney for an elderly parent, the process is the same — but the key difference is that your parent must still have mental capacity to sign the LPA. They are the donor, and they are the one appointing you as their attorney. You cannot set up an LPA on someone else's behalf without their knowledge and consent.
If your parent has already lost mental capacity, you will need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order, which is significantly more expensive (typically £1,000–£3,000+) and takes much longer.
This is why it is so important to set up an LPA early — before a health crisis occurs.
Property and Financial Affairs vs Health and Welfare LPA
Many people ask whether they need both types of LPA. The answer depends on your circumstances, but most advisers recommend setting up both at the same time, since the process and cost is similar and it avoids a gap in coverage:
- A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can be used while you still have capacity (if you choose), making it useful for practical reasons like travel or illness
- A Health and Welfare LPA can only be used once you have lost mental capacity
Power of Attorney Online UK — Is It Safe?
Yes. Creating your LPA forms online using a reputable service like Doxly is safe and legally valid. The forms generated follow the requirements set out by the Office of the Public Guardian and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The document you generate must still be printed, signed by the relevant parties, and registered with the OPG — at which point it becomes a fully legal, registered LPA.