Lasting Power of Attorney UK: A Carer’s Step-By-Step Guide
By Matt Cresswell, Founder of Power of Attorney Online and author of
Everything you ever wanted to know about LPAs (but were afraid to ask)
26th November 2025
The short answer:
If you're caring for someone, the cared-for person must be the one to set up the LPA - only they (the donor) can grant authority, and only while they still have capacity. Your role is to help them choose attorneys, complete the form, and arrange the certificate provider and witnesses.
Updated: Monday 30th March 2026
If you’re caring for a loved one, helping them manage their decision making safely and legally is really central to your role. The process of applying for an Lasting Power of Attorney can feel intimidating if you’re doing it for the first time, so here’s a carer-friendly, step-by-step guide so you can quickly understand what you’re dealing with.
What’s an LPA in the UK?
An LPA allows someone to give people they trust the authority to make decisions if they lose mental capacity. There are two types of LPA:
- Health & Welfare LPA, which covers care, daily routines, medical treatment.
- Property & Financial Affairs LPA, which covers money, bills, banking and property.
As a carer, you may be helping the donor apply for their LPA, but the decision to create it in the first place must always be of their own free will.
Who actually needs a Lasting Power of Attorney?
It’s really for anyone who wants their affairs to be handled smoothly if they find themselves in a situation where they’re unable to make decisions. Specifically for carers, an LPA can prevent crisis moments later down the line and, worst case scenario, avoid having to go to the Court of Protection retrospectively to get similar authority to what an LPA would grant you anyway.
How can a Carer help someone set up an LPA?
You can support with organising getting the task done and explaining things as you go, but you’re not there t influence their decisions. Your role is a practical one, not as a persuader.
Step 1: How do you start an LPA?
Q: Where do you begin as a carer?
A: Start by choosing the right forms . The donor needs either or both these:
- Form LP1F (Property & Finance)
- Form LP1H (Health & Welfare)
The donor must decide who their attorneys will be and how they should act in the LPA.
Step 2: Who needs to sign the LPA?
Q: What signatures are required?
A: All of the following will need to sign the LPA:
- The donor
- A certificate provider, which is someone who confirms the donor understands the LPA and is registering it of their own freewill.
- Each attorney and any replacement attorney’s, if applicable
- A witness for each signature
As a carer, it’s fine to witness signatures, unless you are an attorney or family member of the donor.
Step 3: How do you register an LPA?
Q: How is the LPA submitted so it’s formally registered?
A: You’ll need to send the completed forms to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) with the £92 fee per LPA (fee reductions do exist for certain benefits, so they’re worth looking into).
The OPG will check the forms and finish the registration of the LPA within 8-12 weeks.
Step 4: When can the LPA be Used?
This differs slightly depending on the LPA:
- Property & Finance LPA: as soon as it’s registered, with the donor’s consent.
- Health & Welfare LPA: this is only when the donor loses capacity.
What if you’re a Carer and also an Attorney?
You must follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which means acting in the donor’s best interests, keeping records on what decisions you’ve and never mixing their finances with yours.
Supporting someone through an LPA application using a service like Power of Attorney Online is one of the biggest acts of care you can offer. It brings stability, avoids legal delays and ensures the wishes of the person you’re caring for stay at the centre of every decision.
Written by Matt Cresswell
Matt Cresswell is the Founder of Power of Attorney Online, a service helping people across England and Wales create Lasting Powers of Attorney through guided online support and expert document reviews. He founded the business following his father's diagnosis with dementia, after experiencing first-hand how confusing the LPA process can be for families. Matt's expertise focuses on Lasting Powers of Attorney, planning ahead and helping families prepare for the future before a crisis occurs.
More than just an LPA application
Create your Lasting Power of Attorney with an Expert LPA Review and an included Future Planning Review, helping you protect what matters most.
- Expert LPA Review included
- Future Planning Review included
- Complete in around 15 minutes
- Friendly human support whenever you need it
01483 510515
