Can I Make a Lasting Power of Attorney Without a Solicitor?
10th July 2026
The short answer:
Yes. You don’t need a solicitor to make an LPA in England and Wales. People successfully create and register their LPAs every year using guided online services or by completing the official forms solo themselves. A solicitor can be helpful if your circumstances are particularly complex, but, for most people, choosing attorneys, completing the paperwork correctly and following the required signing process is all that’s needed to create a valid LPA.
Can I Make a Lasting Power of Attorney Without a Solicitor? is a simple enough question to ask when you first begin planning ahead for what could happen with your future. The short answer is yes. People create a legally valid LPA without using a solicitor all the time, completing the forms correctly, signing in the right order and registering the forms with the OPG. For most straightforward situations, a guided online LPA service like Power of Attorney Online provides the guidance and checks people need without the higher cost of traditional legal advice.
Why do people assume they need a solicitor?
After all, an LPA is an important legal document. It’s understandable that people assume they need professional legal representation.
In reality, the law doesn’t quite work like this.
The process is designed so individuals can make their own decisions about who they trust to act for them. As long as you understand what you’re signing, have the required certificate provider and complete the application correctly, there’s no legal requirement to involve a solicitor to help you complete the forms.
It can be a surprise to discover that the biggest challenge isn’t understanding the legal principles. It’s simply making sure the paperwork is accurate.
A witness can be related – but they can’t be on the form anywhere else.
When does using a solicitor actually make sense?
There are situations where legal advice can be valuable.
For example, if your family circumstances are complicated, you’re considering unusual attorney instructions or restrictions, or there are concerns about potential disputes, speaking to a solicitor may provide the reassurance you need.
Similarly, if someone owns complex business interests or has significant overseas assets, tailored legal advice may be worth its while for you.
In reality, these situations are relatively uncommon though. Most families simply want trusted people to be able to manage finances or make health and care decisions, if it comes to it.
92%+
Drafts with errors
Of the LPAs our specialists have reviewed, more than nine in ten contain at least one issue. About one in five has a major issue that would cause an outright OPG rejection. See our full findings →
Why many people choose an online LPA service
For straightforward applications, many people prefer an online LPA service because it combines useful guidance with affordability.
Rather than completing lengthy paper forms alone, you’re taken through each section step by step. A good online provider will check for common mistakes that frequently lead to rejected applications, helping reduce delays and unnecessary costs.
The aim isn’t to replace legal advice where it’s genuinely needed. It’s to make creating an LPA easier for people whose circumstances are in themselves relatively straightforward.
Choosing the right approach
The best option depends on your situation, rather than your budget alone.
If your affairs are simple and your priorities are clear, an online LPA service is often more than sufficient to get the job done.
If you’re unsure about complex legal issues or expect disagreements between family members, obtaining independent legal advice may be the sensible option before completing the forms.
What’s most important is to not delay because you’re uncertain which route to take. Importantly, an LPA can only be made while the person creating it has the mental capacity to do so.
Planning ahead gives you more choice, more control and usually a much simpler process than waiting until decisions may have to be made while a crisis is unfolding.
How to apply for a Power of Attorney
The full step-by-step process, including the specialist check that catches the issues above before they reach the OPG.
Create your LPA with confidence
Avoid the confusion of government forms and the cost of a solicitor.
- Expert checks to help avoid mistakes and delays
- Complete in as little as 15 minutes
- Real human support if you need it
- Clear fixed pricing at £125 per document
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