Lasting Power of Attorney Form: Your Key Questions Answered

22nd December 2025

The lasting power of attorney form is a legal document that allows you to plan ahead and stay in control of who makes decisions for you if you ever cannot. Despite its importance, many people are unsure what the form does, how it works, or when it should be completed. This guide answers the most common questions clearly and simply.

What is the lasting power of attorney form?

The lasting power of attorney form is the official document used in England and Wales to create a Lasting Power of Attorney, often shortened to LPA. By completing it, you legally appoint one or more trusted people, called attorneys, to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity or need support managing your affairs.

The form only becomes legally valid once it has been completed correctly, signed by all required parties and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

What types of lasting power of attorney forms are there?

There are two separate LPA forms, each covering different decisions.

The Property and Financial Affairs LPA form allows your attorney to manage things like bank accounts, bills, pensions, investments and property.

The Health and Welfare LPA form allows your attorney to make decisions about care, medical treatment, daily routine and life sustaining treatment if you are unable to decide for yourself.

Many people choose to complete both forms to ensure full protection.

Who needs to complete the lasting power of attorney form?

Anyone over the age of 18 with mental capacity can complete an LPA form. You do not need to be elderly, ill or retired. In practice, many people complete their forms when they buy property, start a family, receive a diagnosis or review their will.

The key point is that the form must be completed using a service like Power of Attorney Online while you still have mental capacity. Once capacity is lost, it is too late to create an LPA.

Who has to sign the LPA form?

The LPA form must be signed in a specific order and by several people.

This includes the donor, who is the person making the LPA, the attorney or attorneys, a certificate provider who confirms you understand what you are doing and independent witnesses.

If any part is signed incorrectly or in the wrong order, the application can be rejected.

What happens after the form is completed?

Once signed, the lasting power of attorney form must be sent to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration. Only after registration can the LPA be used.

Registration can take 8-10 weeks. During this time, the document is checked to ensure it meets legal requirements and that safeguards are in place to protect the donor.

Why is completing the LPA form properly so important?

If an LPA form is not in place and someone loses capacity, loved ones may have to apply to the Court of Protection to gain authority to act. This process is often slow, expensive and stressful.

A correctly completed lasting power of attorney form avoids this. It ensures your wishes are clear, your chosen people can act quickly and decisions are made in your best interests.