How-to
How to set up a lasting power of attorney
Reviewed 3 November 2026 · England and Wales
In short
To make a lasting power of attorney you choose your attorneys, complete the official LP1F or LP1H form, have an independent certificate provider confirm you understand it, sign it in the correct order with witnesses, and then register it with the Office of the Public Guardian. Registration costs £92 per LPA and takes 8 to 10 weeks.
Making an LPA is a series of clear steps. The order matters, especially the signing, so it helps to know the whole process before you start.
Before you start
Decide which LPA you need (property and financial affairs, health and welfare, or both), who your attorneys and any replacements will be, and whether your attorneys should act jointly or separately. Have everyone's full names, addresses and dates of birth to hand, and line up an independent certificate provider.
Making a lasting power of attorney, step by step
Choose your attorneys
Pick people you trust who are 18 or over. For a financial LPA they must not be bankrupt. Decide whether they act jointly, or jointly and severally, and name any replacement attorneys.
Complete the form
Fill in the official LP1F (finances) or LP1H (health and welfare) form. Add any instructions or preferences carefully, as instructions the law does not allow will cause a rejection.
Arrange a certificate provider
An independent person, not a family member or an attorney, confirms you understand the LPA and are not under pressure. They must have known you for two years or have relevant professional skills.
Sign in the correct order
The donor signs first, then the certificate provider, then the attorneys, each on the same day or later than the one before. Signatures that need a witness must be witnessed.
Register with the OPG
Send the signed LPA and the £92 fee (per LPA) to the Office of the Public Guardian. Registration takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes. The LPA cannot be used until it is registered.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set up an LPA online?
Yes. You can prepare an LPA online and it is just as valid once signed and registered. The signing still has to be done on paper, in the correct order, and the registration is with the OPG.
How long does it take to set up an LPA?
Preparing and signing can take a few days to a couple of weeks around everyone's schedules. Registration with the OPG then takes 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes, so allow a couple of months overall.
Do I need to register the LPA straight away?
It is strongly recommended. An LPA cannot be used until it is registered, and registration takes months. Registering as soon as it is signed means it is ready the moment it is needed.
What if I make a mistake on the form?
A mistake can get the LPA rejected, which means correcting it and often paying the £92 fee again. Having the form checked against the OPG criteria before signing avoids this.
Related resources
The correct order to sign an LPA
Signing an LPA in the wrong order is the top reason it gets rejected. The correct order to sign a lasting power of attorney, and why the dates matter.
Common reasons an LPA is rejected
Around 1 in 11 LPAs are rejected by the OPG, almost always for avoidable errors. The most common reasons an LPA is refused, and how to avoid each one.
Which lasting power of attorney do I need?
Property and financial affairs or health and welfare? A clear comparison of the two types of LPA so you can decide which one, or both, you need.
How much does a lasting power of attorney cost?
What a lasting power of attorney costs in England and Wales: the £92 OPG registration fee, fee reductions, and what solicitors and services charge.
LPASafe covers England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different systems. We are not a law firm and do not give legal advice. The LP1F and LP1H forms are available free on gov.uk.
Ready when you are
Let us do the form, you do the signing
We complete the official LPA correctly from your answers, following the OPG criteria, and send you a clear signing order for the day.