Appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a great way to give yourself peace of mind in the event you’re no longer able to make decisions yourself. It means someone you trust can act on your behalf if you cannot.
For the most part, an LPA is used to protect someone (the “Donor”) in the event they lose the ability to speak and act for themselves – this can be because of an accident, degenerative illnesses or losing mental capacity. You can arrange an LPA for property and financial affairs, or your medical affairs, or both.
The fee for each legal document has stood at a reasonable £82 for years. However, the Office for the Public Guardian (OPC) recently raised this figure. But why have LPA costs increased all of a sudden? And what does it represent for those seeking to appoint a Lasting Power of Attorney in the coming months?
If you fall into this category, St Helens Law is here to help. Our Lasting Powers of Attorney solicitors are highly experienced and well-equipped to answer any queries you may have before moving forward with an application. Contact a member of the team today for more information, or keep reading to learn more.
How Much Does Lasting Power of Attorney Cost?
As of November 17th 2025, the new fee for a Lasting Power of Attorney application is £92. This is a rise of £10 from the previous figure.
Why are Lasting Power of Attorney Costs Increasing?
Just like any other government body, the OPG needs to cover enough costs to keep its operations active. As demand increases or internal changes are made, prices can be changed to reflect this.
It’s not always precisely clear why these increases happen when they do. But, in this case, we have a pretty good idea…
The government has been discussing moving towards a fully digital LPA system for several years now. This will move the entire LPA application process online and would remove one of the most awkward and time-consuming elements of the process: having witnesses prove their identity and sign the documents in person.
Not only would this save time, but it may also help those applying for LPA avoid costly errors.
Why are LPA Forms Rejected?
Should any mistake be made on any LPA form during the application process, it can be rejected by the OPG, meaning applicants would need to start all over again. On top of this, they need to pay a resubmission fee (formerly £41, now £46).
To make matters worse, the most common causes of these rejections usually aren’t anything complicated:
- Signing Order: The process requires a precise sequence of signatures. The Donor (the person setting up the LPA) must sign first, then the Certificate Provider, and the Attorneys sign last. If you don’t sign in the correct order, the application will be rejected automatically.
- Clerical Mistakes: Rejections often stem from simple administrative errors, such as a misspelt name, an outdated address, or forgetting to include a date or signature on a required section.
- Correction Method is Key: If you make a mistake on the paper form, you must correct it properly. This means crossing out the error cleanly with a single line and writing your initials next to it. Never use Tipp-Ex or a pencil, as this is grounds for rejection.
With over 50,000 LPA rejections due to mistakes in the 2023-24 period, this represents upwards of £2,300,000 in unnecessary secondary payments that people could have avoided by simply using the services of an experienced LPA solicitor, like St Helens Law.
When is LPA Moving to an Online Service?
The Powers of Attorney Act 2023 outlined the government’s digital LPA plans, but as of yet, no formal announcements have been made. So keep an eye on news reports, or speak to one of our experts if you have any questions.
But if you feel like you should wait for the digital platform to be brought in to make the whole process easier, you should not delay. The longer you wait, the more you’re putting yourself at risk should the unthinkable happen, and you could lose the ability to make your own decisions by not appointing a trusted friend or relative to act on your behalf.
Worried the forms are too complicated? That’s what we’re here for. Get in touch with a member of the St Helens Law team today, and we’d be happy to take the burden off your shoulders.
Does Everyone Pay Full Price for LPA Applications?
No, there are some instances where you may be able to apply for Lasting Power of Attorney at a heavy discount, or even completely free.
If the person setting up the LPA received certain means-tested benefits, they may be able to apply via a fee exemption, meaning they won’t pay a penny. The means-tested benefits listed on the official GOV.UK website includes:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction/Support
- Local Housing Allowance
- A combination of Working Tax Credit and at least one of the following: Child Tax Credit, Disability Element of Working Tax Credit, or Severe Disability Element of Working Tax Credit.
If the donor’s gross annual income before tax is less than £12,000 per year, they automatically qualify for a 50% reduction in price.
So be sure to check your eligibility for any of the above before you make your applications.
Wondering How to Apply for LPA? Speak to St Helens Law
If you’ve never dealt with them before, Lasting Power of Attorney forms can feel incredibly confusing, and it seems as though there are a ridiculous number of hoops you need to jump through just to give yourself the peace of mind you deserve.
That’s why it’s always wisest to appoint the services of a trained, reliable LPA solicitor – and our Lasting Power of Attorney service team is ready and waiting to help. With decades of combined experience amongst our staff, you can be sure that your LPA will be formalised, completed and legally-binding as quickly as possible and completely mistake-free. We’re also experts in probate, wills and several other areas of family law.
Get in touch with St Helens Law today to get started.