What is the Difference Between LPA and EPA?

20th October 2025

Updated: Thursday 29th January 2026

What is the Difference Between LPA and EPA? Lasting Power of Attorney vs Enduring Power of Attorney is a comparison many people come across when they start planning for the future. Both documents are designed to protect you if you lose mental capacity, but they are not interchangeable and the rules around them are different. Understanding how each type of Power of Attorney works, when it applies, and which one is recognised today is essential to making informed, legally sound decisions about your future care and finances.

What is an Enduring Power of Attorney in England?

An Enduring Power of Attorney, often called an EPA, is an older legal document that was used in England before October 2007. It allowed a person, known as the donor, to appoint one or more attorneys to manage their property and financial affairs.

An EPA only covers financial matters such as bank accounts, bills, pensions, and property. It does not allow attorneys to make decisions about health, care, or medical treatment.

If the donor still had mental capacity, the attorney could usually act straight away. Once the donor started to lose capacity, the EPA had to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

No new EPAs can be made today. However, any EPA that was correctly signed before 1 October 2007 remains legally valid.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, replaced the EPA and is the modern option used in England and Wales today. LPAs provide broader protection and more control.

There are two types of LPA. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers money, property and financial decisions. A Health and Welfare LPA covers decisions about care, medical treatment and where you live.

Unlike an EPA, an LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. This applies even if the donor still has full mental capacity. This early registration helps avoid delays if the LPA is ever needed urgently.

What are the key differences between an EPA and an LPA?

The biggest difference is scope. An EPA only deals with financial matters, while an LPA can also cover health and welfare decisions.

Another key difference is availability. EPAs can no longer be created, while LPAs are specifically designed for modern legal and healthcare systems.

LPAs also offer clearer safeguards, including certificate providers and formal checks, which improve trust and reduce the risk of misuse.

Should you rely on an existing EPA or make an LPA?

If you already have a valid EPA, you can continue to use it for property and financial matters. There is no requirement to replace it unless you want to.

However, if you want someone to make health or care decisions for you, you must create a Health and Welfare LPA. Many people also choose to replace their EPA with a new Property and Financial Affairs LPA to keep everything consistent and up to date.

For anyone planning today, an LPA is usually the better and more complete option.

What is the best option for modern planning in England?

For most people, a Lasting Power of Attorney offers greater flexibility, stronger legal protection and peace of mind for both financial and personal decisions.

Power of Attorney Online helps you create a legally compliant LPA with clear guidance and expert support. Planning while you have capacity is one of the most important steps you can take, and an LPA ensures your wishes are respected when it matters most.