Checks Out
All calculators
Care Fees & Later Life2 min check

Lasting Power of Attorney Checker

An LPA lets someone you trust make decisions if you lose capacity. There are two types — find out which apply to your situation.

Short answer

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. There are two types: Property & Financial Affairs (bills, property, pensions — usable as soon as registered if you allow) and Health & Welfare (care, treatment, life-sustaining decisions — only usable when you've lost capacity). Each costs £82 to register with the Office of the Public Guardian; takes 16–20 weeks.
Step 1 of 20%

Your situation

Does the person currently have mental capacity?

Calculation method, coverage and version

Inputs used
Who is the LPA for?, Does the person currently have mental capacity?, Manage bank accounts, bills, property, investments?, Make healthcare and care home decisions?, Include life-sustaining treatment decisions?.
Calculation approach
The calculator applies the rules and assumptions described in “How it works” to the values you enter. Rounding can cause small differences from an official or provider calculation.
Coverage
Care Fees & Later Life. UK nations, tax treatment, local rules and provider criteria can differ; check the official sources shown below before acting.
Content version
No page-specific review date is currently published. Treat the result as indicative and verify current rules independently.
Not included unless explicitly requested: personal circumstances not entered, provider discretion, future rule changes, professional fees and case-specific exceptions. Read the full calculator methodology.

Primary sources and official verification

Use these official sources to verify current rules before acting. Coverage and dates can differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

See the sitewide source policy.

How it works

The checker reviews your current arrangements (existing LPA / Enduring Power of Attorney / nothing), your family setup (attorneys, replacements), and decision rules (jointly vs jointly-and-severally). It highlights gaps — most commonly missing Health LPA, no replacement attorney, or out-of-date EPA from before 2007.

Worked example

A 70-year-old has an old EPA from 2005 (still valid, but only covers property/finance, not health). Recommendation: keep EPA, add new Health & Welfare LPA (£82). Total time: ~5 hours of paperwork or £200–£400 via solicitor.

Who should use this

  • •Adults aged 50+ with no LPA
  • •Couples (both should have both types)
  • •People with early-stage dementia diagnosis (urgent — must have capacity to sign)
  • •Carers of elderly parents

Common mistakes

  • ×Waiting until capacity is lost — then it's a £3,000+ Court of Protection deputyship
  • ×Only doing Property & Finance, not Health
  • ×No replacement attorney — system collapses if main attorney dies first
  • ×DIY mistakes — unsigned witness, missing certificate provider

Frequently asked questions

Can I appoint multiple attorneys?▾

Yes — 'jointly' (must agree on every decision) or 'jointly and severally' (any can act alone, more practical).

Can attorneys see my will?▾

Generally no — wills aren't disclosed until death.

What if I'm abroad?▾

LPAs only cover England & Wales. Scotland uses Continuing & Welfare Powers of Attorney; NI uses EPAs.

Related calculators

Later Life Checklist →Inheritance Tax Estimator →Care Funding Options →Care Home Fees Calculator →