How much does a lasting power of attorney cost in the UK?

“How much will this actually cost me?” It’s the first question most people ask when considering a Lasting Power of Attorney, and with good reason. Behind this question often lurks genuine concerns: Is this essential protection affordable? Will hidden fees emerge later? In today’s economic climate, lasting power of attorney costs shouldn’t be another financial worry. This straight-talking guide cuts through the confusion, revealing exactly what you’ll pay, from the £82 official fee to potential solicitor charges, and where you could save significantly. Before making any decisions that affect your financial and personal welfare, consulting with a specialised wills, trusts, and estates solicitor can provide tailored guidance worth far more than its cost.

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Mandatory Lasting Power of Attorney costs: What you’ll definitely pay

The baseline expenses for creating a Lasting Power of Attorney in 2025 are surprisingly straightforward, though they vary depending on your UK location and specific needs:

Government registration fees (2025): In England and Wales, the Office of the Public Guardian charges a non-negotiable £82 per LPA as of May 2025. Registering both types (property/financial and health/welfare) costs £164 total. This fee has remarkably remained static since 2017, a rare exception in today’s inflated legal services market.

Regional variations across the UK: Fee structures vary by nation. England and Wales maintain the standard £82 per document, while Scotland charges marginally less at £79 for each Power of Attorney. Northern Ireland residents face the steepest costs, a substantial £151 per Enduring Power of Attorney, nearly double the English rate.

Other essential fees: Beyond registration, only two additional costs are truly mandatory:

1. Certified copies: At least one certified copy (£5-£15 each) is practically essential. Banks, investment providers, and healthcare institutions will require these to act on the LPA.
2. Postage costs: Submitting your application to the OPG requires secure postage (£3-£5), as original documents must be physically sent.

Optional professional fees: What most people choose to pay

After covering the mandatory registration costs, most individuals consider additional professional services; the next most common expense category in the lasting power of attorney cost equation:

Certificate provider fees

While friends or family can serve as certificate providers at no cost, many opt for professional certification to ensure validity:

• Solicitors: £50-£100 per certification.
• Medical professionals: £100-£150 for capacity assessment and certification.
• Specialist mental capacity assessors: £150-£300 for complex capacity situations.

The certificate provider confirms you understand the document and aren’t under pressure. Many choose professional providers for their objectivity and expertise in assessing capacity, particularly in borderline situations or when family conflicts exist.

Document storage and security

Protecting these vital documents against loss, damage, and unauthorised access comes with its own cost considerations:

• Digital secure storage: £15-£30 annually for encrypted online access.
• Home safes for document protection: One-time purchase of £75-£200.
• Secure document storage: £20-£50 annually with solicitors or specialist services.

Professional creation and submission services: The spectrum of options

After considering mandatory and certificate provider fees, most people evaluate professional assistance for preparing and submitting their LPA; an important decision affecting overall lasting power of attorney costs.

Solicitor services: Traditional expert support

Traditional legal services offer comprehensive support with varying lasting power of attorney fees:

• Standard solicitor package: £300-£500 per LPA.
• Mid-tier firms with estate planning specialists: £500-£750 per LPA.
• High-end legal practices for complex estates: £750-£1,000+ per LPA.

A fixed price lasting power of attorney package typically includes personal consultation, document preparation, certificate provision, witness services, and registration handling. Most solicitors offer 25-40% discounts for couples or when creating both types of LPAs simultaneously.

Online service providers: The middle path

Digital platforms offer streamlined creation at reduced costs:

• Basic self-guided platforms: £70-£120 per LPA.
• Mid-level services with telephone support: £150-£200 per LPA.
• Premium digital services with legal review: £200-£300 per LPA.

Online providers have disrupted the market by offering template-based solutions with varying degrees of guidance. These services typically handle registration but provide less personalised advice than traditional solicitors.

DIY route: Minimum professional involvement

The self-service approach minimises professional costs beyond the mandatory fees:

• Official OPG paper forms: Free to download and complete.
• OPG online service: Free to use, simplifies form completion.
• DIY guidebooks: £10-£25 for step-by-step assistance.

Self-completion requires investment of time rather than money, but carries higher risk of errors that could delay registration or invalidate the document.

Situational and contingency costs: Often-overlooked expenses

Several circumstantial fees can significantly impact total lasting power of attorney costs, yet frequently escape initial budgeting consideration:

• Amendment and correction fees: Modifying an LPA after submission incurs a £41 correction fee per document. Professional guidance through this process adds £75-£150, while substantial changes may require complete redrafting, essentially doubling your investment.
• Special circumstance fees: Non-standard situations trigger specialised expenses: translations (£80-£250), international recognition (£50-£120 for notarisation), and complex Court applications (£400+).
• Ongoing administrative expenses: Financial institutions may charge annual management fees of £75-£300 when acting as attorneys. Professional financial oversight typically costs £150-£500 for audits, or 1-1.5% of assets annually for professional management.
• Revocation and replacement costs: While filing a revocation is technically free, professional guidance costs £150-£250. Replacing LPAs means paying full registration fees again, plus £5-£20 for notifications to ensure all institutions recognise the authority change.

Strategic cost-cutting: Maximising value on your LPA

Several sophisticated approaches can dramatically reduce your lasting power of attorney costs beyond standard fee exemptions:

Timing for market advantage: Target January and July-August when solicitors typically offer 10-20% promotional rates during seasonal slowdowns. March often features end-of-financial-year incentives as firms strive to meet annual targets.

Service unbundling: Rather than full-service packages, select only essential professional components:

• Certificate provider services only (£50-£100).
• Execution-only supervision for proper signing (£75-£150).
• Document review by solicitors (£100-£150) rather than full drafting.

LPA specialists typically charge 15-30% less than general practitioners due to their streamlined processes.

Educational partnerships: Law school clinics prepare documents under qualified supervision at 70-80% below market rates. While processing takes longer, quality remains professionally monitored.

Underutilised community resources: Explore these often-overlooked options:

• Monthly free LPA workshops through local legal community programs.
• Professional association pro bono events targeting seniors.
• Faith-based organisation subsidised legal services.
• Trade union member discounts on legal services.

FAQs

• Can I transfer my EPA to an LPA without paying full fees? EPAs created before October 2007 remain valid for financial decisions, but creating any new LPA requires the full £82 registration fee per document.
• Is there a fast-track registration service if I pay more? No official expedited service exists from the OPG. All applications follow the same 8-10 week timeline.
• Do banks charge fees to use a registered LPA? Banks cannot legally charge for accepting a valid LPA, but many impose indirect costs through requiring new certified copies (£5-£15 each) and completion of their own registration processes. Budget around £50 for these practical activation expenses.

While lasting power of attorney costs vary significantly depending on your approach, this protection provides essential security worth far more than the expense. Balance cost considerations with your specific circumstances to determine whether self-service or professional assistance offers the most appropriate value for your needs.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Lasting power of attorney costs vary widely from the essential £82 government registration fee per document to comprehensive solicitor packages ranging from £300-£1,000+, with several options in between to suit different budgets and needs.
• Significant savings are possible through fee exemptions for benefit recipients, 50% reductions for those earning under £12,000 annually, and strategic timing of applications during quieter periods when legal providers offer promotional rates.
• While creating an LPA without professional help is possible, solicitor involvement provides valuable protection in complex situations involving business interests, complicated family dynamics, or potential capacity concerns.