Is Power Of Attorney better than a Will?

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)

06th February 2026

Updated: Tuesday 31st March 2026

What’s Better for Your Future, a Will or a Power Of Attorney?

Is Power Of Attorney better than a Will? The answer to this question surprises many of the life admin advocates amongst us. Both documents are undoubtedly important, but serve very different purposes in reality. Understanding the differences between them is really useful.

What is a Will?

A Will sets out what happens to your money, property and possessions after you die. It has no legal effect while you are alive though, so can’t help you if you become ill or get injured and are unable to make decisions for yourself.

What’s a Power of Attorney does that a Will can’t?

A Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone to make decisions for you while you are alive, which in practical terms means someone you trust can manage bills, speak to banks, arrange care or make medical decisions if you lose the mental capacity to do so. A Will can’t do any of this.

Is a Power of Attorney often considered the more practical of the two?

Loss of mental capacity can happen unexpectedly at any time through illness, having an accident or conditions such as dementia. Without a Power of Attorney being in place, even close family members can’t automatically make decisions for you, possibly when you need them to the most. An application may even be needed to the Court of Protection to effectively perform the same role as an attorney, which is slow, costly and stressful. A Power of Attorney avoids this whole process by helping at a critical time.

Does this mean I don’t need a Will?

No, a Power of Attorney doesn’t replace a Will. A Will protects your wishes after death, while a Power of Attorney protects you during your lifetime. Having both ensures there are no gaps at any stage.

Is either Power of Attorney more useful?

The two types in England and Wales, Property and Financial Affairs, and Health and Welfare, are often chosen at the same time so that all key decisions are covered if anyone ever loses the capacity to do so.

When is the best time to set up a Power of Attorney?

You must have mental capacity when creating your LPA, so it’s best to arrange it as early as possible and without any sense of urgency. Youngsters often assume it’s only for older people, but accidents and illness can sadly happen at any age. Setting it up early gives peace of mind and avoids the need for any rushed decisions later on.

Is it a complicated process to create a Power of Attorney?

You just need to choose your attorneys, complete the forms and register the document properly with the OPG. Online services like Power of Attorney Online can guide you step by step, reduce errors and make the process clearer than the traditional paper led approach.

Is Power of Attorney essential for families?

One of the most compelling reasons to get a Power of Attorney is it removes uncertainty for loved ones and ensures your wishes are respected whatever happens. That can prevent disputes, reduce stress and avoid delays if decisions need to be made quickly, all of which make it one of the most valuable legal documents they can put in place.

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.