How much does an LPA cost?

Key Points

The Office of the Public Guardian registration fee is £92 per lasting power of attorney. Two types of LPA exist: one for property and financial affairs, and one for health and welfare. Each LPA is a separate document, so registering both costs £184 in total. The current fee took effect on 17th November 2025, rising from the previous £82. For an overview of the two types and how they work, read our guide: What is an LPA?

It is free to complete an LPA online using the government's digital service. The tool guides you through appointing attorneys, setting preferences and creating the legal form. However, registering the LPA costs £92 unless you qualify for a reduction or exemption. Registration takes eight to ten weeks if the application contains no errors. An unregistered LPA has no legal effect. Before completing the forms, read our guide to who you should appoint as your attorney under an LPA.

What fee reductions or exemptions are available?

If the donor's annual income before tax is less than £12,000, they are entitled to a 50% remission, reducing the fee to £46 per LPA. If the donor receives certain means-tested benefits when applying to register, they qualify for a full exemption and pay nothing. Qualifying benefits include Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support (not the 25% single-person reduction) and Universal Credit. If the donor has been awarded personal injury damages of more than £16,000, they cannot claim a full exemption, even if those damages were disregarded when assessing entitlement to a benefit. If the donor receives Universal Credit, they are assessed for a remission only and cannot claim an exemption.

Eligibility criteria are set out in the LPA120 form, which you complete and send to the Office of the Public Guardian with supporting evidence. The assessment considers only the donor's benefits and income, not those of the attorney. The attorney may pay the fee and later reclaim it from the donor. Payment must be made when you apply; retrospective refunds are not possible, and all fees are non-refundable.

If the donor does not qualify for a remission or exemption but paying the fee would cause financial hardship, you can write to the Office of the Public Guardian to request a fee reduction on hardship grounds.

How much do solicitors charge to prepare an LPA?

Solicitor fees for drafting and registering a lasting power of attorney vary widely. A straightforward single LPA prepared by a high-street firm may cost £200 to £500 including registration, while more involved arrangements (such as appointing multiple attorneys with detailed restrictions, or cases requiring additional capacity assessments) can cost £800 or more. Some firms quote fixed fees; others charge by the hour.

The work typically includes an initial consultation to confirm your wishes, explaining the differences between the two LPA types, drafting the documents, arranging signatures and certification, and submitting the forms to the Office of the Public Guardian on your behalf. If you use a solicitor, the £92 (or £184 for both types) registration fee is additional to the firm's professional fees.

Many people choose to use the free government online tool and pay only the registration fee. A solicitor becomes valuable where your situation is complex, your family dynamics require careful drafting, you are unsure of capacity, or you simply prefer professional guidance. To compare these costs with the potential costs of deputyship, see what happens if you lose mental capacity without an LPA.

Can I make an LPA for free?

Yes. The government's online LPA service is free to use. You answer questions, the system generates the legal forms, and you print, sign and post them to the Office of the Public Guardian with the £92 fee (or £46 if you qualify for a remission, or nothing if you qualify for a full exemption). You do not need to instruct a solicitor.

A lasting power of attorney confers authority on the attorney to make decisions about the donor's personal welfare or property and affairs in circumstances where the donor no longer has capacity. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out the legal requirements. Provided the LPA meets those statutory requirements and is properly signed and registered, it is legally binding whether you used a solicitor or completed the forms yourself.

What payment methods does the Office of the Public Guardian accept?

You can pay online by credit or debit card when you make your LPA online or after using a paper form. You can also pay over the phone by card or by cheque. The Office of the Public Guardian sends a text message (or email and letter) containing a link to the GOV.UK payment page and a reference number. If you pay by cheque, make it payable to 'Office of the Public Guardian' and write your name on the back.

If you pay online and the Office of the Public Guardian does not receive your application within 42 calendar days, a refund is processed automatically. This takes between six and eight weeks to reach your bank or building society account.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay once or twice if I make both types of LPA?

You pay £92 for each LPA, so if you make both a property and financial affairs LPA and a health and welfare LPA, the total registration cost is £184. If you qualify for a 50% remission, you pay £46 per LPA, making the total £92 for both.

Can my attorney claim back the registration fee?

Yes. The fee assessment is based only on the donor's income and benefits, not the attorney's. The attorney can pay the fee on the donor's behalf and reclaim it from the donor later.

Are there any hidden costs when registering an LPA?

No. The Office of the Public Guardian charges £92 per LPA unless you qualify for a reduction or exemption. Using the online service to create the forms is free. If you instruct a solicitor to draft or review the documents, their professional fees are additional. If you later need an office copy (a certified duplicate of the registered LPA), the fee is £35.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Talk to Pearce Legal

If you need help preparing a lasting power of attorney or have questions about your circumstances, our team can guide you through the process. Call us on 0121 270 2700 or get in touch through our contact page.

Further reading

Read our guide to what an LPA is to understand the two types of lasting power of attorney and the decisions each document can cover.

Before making an LPA, consider carefully who you should appoint as your attorney, including whether to appoint more than one person or name replacement attorneys.

To compare the cost and process of planning ahead, read what happens if you lose mental capacity without an LPA, including Court of Protection deputyship fees and annual supervision charges.

Author: Jodie Hall

Jodie Hall is a Solicitor in the Private Client team at Pearcelegal, based in Solihull, West Midlands. She is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA number 666606.

Jodie joined Pearcelegal in the summer of 2023, having qualified as a solicitor at a firm in London earlier that year. At Pearcelegal, she advises clients on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and estate administration, and Trust matters. She has also contributed to the firm's legal content, including guidance on the probate process and considerations for making a will.

Client reviews rate Jodie 5.0 out of 5 across six reviews on Review Solicitors, Outside of work, Jodie enjoys experiencing new cuisines, cooking, and visiting National Trust sites.

Pearcelegal itself is authorised and regulated under SRA firm number 423097.