Currently, it costs £92 to register each Lasting Power of Attorney. If you make both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA, the registration fees would therefore total £184.
Any solicitor's professional fees are separate from these registration costs.
At John Fowlers, we recommend getting a quote based on your individual circumstances so you understand the costs involved before deciding how you would like to proceed.
What Costs Are Involved in Making a Lasting Power of Attorney?
There are generally two costs to consider if you use a solicitor to help make your LPA:
- The solicitor's professional fee for advising you and preparing the documentation.
- The Office of the Public Guardian registration fee for registering the LPA.
The professional fee will vary between solicitors and according to the work required, whereas the Office of the Public Guardian fee is set separately.
If you are new to the subject, our guide explaining what power of attorney is covers the different types of LPA and how they work.
How Much Does It Cost to Register a Power of Attorney?
The current Office of the Public Guardian registration fee is £92 for each LPA.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Property and Financial Affairs
- Health and Welfare
If you choose to make both, there will normally be two £92 registration fees, giving a total of £184.
These fees are payable for registering the documents and are separate from any fee charged by a solicitor for preparing them.
Can the Power of Attorney Registration Fee Be Reduced?
Some people may qualify for help with the Office of the Public Guardian registration fee.
If the donor's income before tax is below the relevant threshold, they may qualify for a reduction. Certain means-tested benefits may also allow somebody to qualify for an exemption from the registration fee.
Eligibility rules can change, so it is important to check the current requirements when your LPA is being prepared.
Why Do Solicitors Charge Different Amounts for an LPA?
Not every Lasting Power of Attorney involves exactly the same amount of work.
The cost of using a solicitor can depend on factors such as:
- whether you are making one or both types of LPA
- whether the documents are being prepared for one person or a couple
- the number of attorneys you want to appoint
- whether you want replacement attorneys
- how you want multiple attorneys to make decisions
- whether you have particular instructions or preferences
- the complexity of your financial or family circumstances
- how much advice and support you require
A straightforward LPA with one or two attorneys may require less work than an arrangement involving several attorneys, replacement attorneys and detailed instructions about how particular decisions should be made.
This is why a solicitor will often want to understand your circumstances before confirming the cost.
Do I Need a Solicitor to Make a Power of Attorney?
No. You do not legally have to use a solicitor to make a Lasting Power of Attorney.
It is possible to prepare the forms yourself and apply to register them with the Office of the Public Guardian.
However, making an LPA involves more than simply adding names to a form.
You are deciding who could have significant authority over your property, finances, health or care in the future. You also need to decide how multiple attorneys should act, whether replacement attorneys are appropriate and whether you want to include particular instructions or preferences.
For straightforward circumstances, some people may feel comfortable completing the process themselves. Others prefer professional advice so they understand exactly what they are putting in place.
What Does a Solicitor Do When Preparing an LPA?
Part of the value of using a solicitor is having somebody guide you through the decisions involved rather than simply completing the paperwork.
At John Fowlers, our team can help you consider issues such as:
- which type of LPA you require
- who you should appoint as your attorneys
- whether you should appoint more than one attorney
- whether replacement attorneys would be appropriate
- how your attorneys should make decisions
- whether particular instructions or preferences should be included
- how the LPA will operate in practice
Our team can then help prepare the documentation and guide you through the registration process.
The aim is to ensure that you understand the authority you are giving and that your LPA reflects what you actually want to happen.
Is It Cheaper to Make Just One LPA?
Making one LPA rather than both will mean you only have one Office of the Public Guardian registration fee to pay.
However, the two LPAs cover very different areas.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers decisions involving your money and property, while a Health and Welfare LPA covers matters involving your care, health and personal welfare.
Choosing one simply because it costs less could therefore leave an area of your future decision-making without the arrangements you intended.
It is better to consider what protection you actually want before deciding whether one or both LPAs are appropriate.
Is Paying a Solicitor for Power of Attorney Worth It?
Whether you use a solicitor is ultimately your decision.
For some people, the main benefit is reassurance. An LPA may not be needed for many years, but if it does need to be used, it can involve some of the most important decisions made on your behalf.
Getting advice when the document is prepared can help you think through those decisions properly and understand the responsibilities you are giving to your attorneys.
It can be particularly worthwhile seeking advice where your family circumstances or finances are more complicated, you are appointing several attorneys or you want to include specific instructions.
Is There an Ongoing Cost for a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney does not have an annual registration fee simply to keep it in place.
Once it has been correctly created and registered, it can continue without needing to be renewed every year.
You may still want to review your arrangements occasionally to make sure your chosen attorneys and the decisions you made continue to reflect your wishes.
How Can John Fowlers Help With Lasting Powers of Attorney?
There is no single solicitor fee that will be right for every Lasting Power of Attorney, which is why it is useful to get advice and a clear quote based on your own circumstances.
At John Fowlers, our team can explain your options, help you decide which LPAs are appropriate and guide you through preparing and registering the documents.
We will make sure you understand the costs involved before proceeding and can answer any questions you have about how your arrangements will work.
Visit our Lasting Powers of Attorney service page or contact the John Fowlers team for advice and an up-to-date quote based on your circumstances.