Can I Appoint More Than One Attorney?

14th November 2025

Updated: Tuesday 20th January 2026

Can I Appoint More Than One Attorney? is an important question to understand before you complete an LPA. When you set up a Lasting Power of Attorney using a service like Power of Attorney Online, you are not just choosing who will act for you, but also how they are allowed to act. This is decided in Section 3 of the form, where you set clear instructions on whether your attorneys must make decisions together, independently, or in a combination of both, shaping how your affairs would be managed if you ever needed support.

Although it can look like a technical detail, this section has a real impact on how smoothly your affairs are managed in practice.

What is Section 3 of a UK LPA?

Section 3 sets out how your appointed attorneys must make decisions. You choose whether they act jointly, jointly and severally, or a combination of both.

This choice applies to both Property and Financial Affairs LPAs and Health and Welfare LPAs. It determines whether attorneys must agree on every decision or whether they can act independently when needed.

What does it mean if attorneys must act jointly?

If you choose joint decision making, all named attorneys must agree and act together on every decision. This applies to large matters such as selling property as well as routine tasks like managing accounts.

The main advantage is shared oversight. No single attorney can act alone, which some people find reassuring.

However, this option can create difficulties. If one attorney becomes ill, moves abroad, or dies, the LPA may stop working unless replacement attorneys have been appointed. Delays can also arise if attorneys struggle to coordinate.

This setup often suits situations where attorneys live close together and have a strong working relationship.

What does jointly and severally mean in an LPA?

Jointly and severally allows attorneys to make decisions together or independently. Any one attorney can act on your behalf without needing the agreement of the others.

This is the most commonly chosen option because it offers flexibility and continuity. If one attorney is unavailable, the others can continue acting without interruption.

It works well where attorneys have different strengths, such as one managing finances while another focuses on care or welfare matters. It also reduces the risk of delays in urgent situations.

Can attorneys act jointly for some decisions and jointly and severally for others?

Yes. A mixed approach allows you to specify which decisions must be made jointly and which can be handled independently.

For example, you might require joint agreement to sell your home or make large gifts, while allowing attorneys to act jointly and severally for everyday banking or care arrangements.

This option provides additional control while still allowing practical flexibility.

How do you choose the right option for your LPA?

The right choice depends on trust, family dynamics, and practicality.

Choose joint decision making if shared oversight is your priority and your attorneys work well together. Choose jointly and severally if you want resilience and ease of use. Consider a mixed approach if there are specific decisions you want tightly controlled.

Why Section 3 matters more than people realise

Section 3 is not just a formality. It determines how your wishes are carried out during stressful or urgent moments.

Taking time to choose the right structure helps avoid delays, confusion, and legal complications later on. A well thought through decision here makes life easier for your attorneys and ensures your best interests are protected.

Section 3 defines how your trusted people work together when it matters most. Choosing carefully now helps ensure your LPA works smoothly when it is needed.