How Long Does Power of Attorney Last?

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)

09th February 2026

Updated: Tuesday 31st March 2026

How Long Does Power of Attorney Last? Understanding the duration depends on the power of attorney you create, how it is intended to be used and the circumstances surrounding the donor and attorney.

Does a Lasting Power of Attorney expire?

An LPA doesn’t have a fixed expiry date. Once it’s registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, it usually remains in place for the rest of the donor’s life. This applies to both the Property and Financial Affairs and Health and Welfare LPAs.

It’s ongoing validity does depend on the document remaining legally sound though. The donor can cancel it while they still have mental capacity, or the Court of Protection can revoke it, whereupon the authority it has will end immediately.

What’s an Ordinary Power of Attorney?

An Ordinary Power of Attorney works differently because it’s typically used for temporary situations, such as managing finances during an illness. It only remains valid while the donor has mental capacity.

If the donor loses their mental capacity, the Ordinary Power of Attorney will end automatically. For long term planning, an LPA is the answer because it continues to operate even when capacity changes.

Does a Power of Attorney ever stop being valid?

Several events can bring a Power of Attorney to a conclusion. The most common, sadly, is the death of the donor. When the donor passes away, the attorney’s legal authority, using an LPA, ends and the executor of the estate will take over, usually through a Will.

Another circumstance that can stop the arrangement is the attorney going bankrupt when managing financial matters, an attorney losing capacity themselves, or a divorce that affects a husband or wife who was named as an attorney, unless the document clearly states otherwise.

Can a Power of Attorney ever be changed or cancelled?

Yes, as long as the donor still has mental capacity. An LPA can be amended or cancelled at any time. There can be changes in relationships, your health or personal preferences, so it’s useful to have a bit of flexibility. An attorney may even wish to step down and formally disclaim their role.

Does understanding the duration of an LPA matter?

Knowing how long a Power of Attorney actually lasts can help avoid confusion around responsibilities in the future.

It’s worth ending by saying that, for most people, a registered LPA, made using a service like Power of Attorney Online is designed to last indefinitely. By understanding how long it continues and when it ends, families can feel more prepared for whatever the future brings.

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.