Can Organisations Refuse an LPA?

07th January 2026

When people set up a Lasting Power of Attorney, they often assume that once it is registered, their attorney’s authority will always be accepted without question. In reality, families sometimes encounter resistance from banks, care homes or public bodies, which can be confusing and distressing. Understanding where an attorney’s authority is absolute, and where it is limited, helps avoid delays and conflict.

Can a bank refuse to accept a registered LPA in the UK?

A UK bank should not refuse a properly registered Lasting Power of Attorney simply because it prefers its own forms or processes. Once an LPA is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, it is a legal document that gives the attorney authority to act within its scope.

In practice, banks may pause access while they carry out internal checks. This often includes verifying the document, confirming the donor lacks capacity if required and ensuring the attorney’s identity is confirmed. These checks are lawful and intended to protect the donor from fraud or misuse.

A refusal can occur if the LPA is not registered, if it contains restrictions that limit the attorney’s powers or if there are safeguarding concerns. For example, unusual transactions or conflicting instructions may prompt further review. However, a blanket refusal without valid reason is not appropriate, and banks are expected to work with attorneys to resolve issues.

What decisions can social services override?

An attorney has significant authority, but it is not unlimited. Social services have statutory duties to protect vulnerable adults and these duties can override an attorney’s wishes in certain situations.

If a decision places the donor at risk of harm, social services may intervene, even if an attorney disagrees. This could involve concerns about unsafe living conditions, neglect or financial abuse. In these cases, the focus is on safeguarding and best interests, rather than simply following instructions.

Social services cannot override an attorney simply because they disagree with a choice. They must have evidence that the decision is not in the donor’s best interests or breaches safeguarding law. When disputes cannot be resolved, the matter may be referred to the Court of Protection for a binding decision.

Can care homes refuse to accept an attorney’s decision?

Care homes must recognise the legal authority of a valid LPA, but they also operate within regulatory and clinical frameworks. An attorney can make decisions about care arrangements, consent to certain treatments and day to day welfare matters, provided these fall within the LPA.

A care home may refuse to follow an instruction if it conflicts with professional care standards, health and safety rules, or medical advice. For example, they cannot provide unsafe care or ignore clinical guidance, even at an attorney’s request.

Where disagreements arise, care homes should work collaboratively with attorneys to reach a solution that reflects the donor’s wishes and best interests. Persistent disputes may again involve social services or, in rare cases, the Court of Protection.

Why understanding these boundaries matters

Knowing where an attorney’s authority begins and ends reduces frustration at critical moments. Most issues arise not because an LPA is invalid, but because organisations must balance legal authority with safeguarding and professional responsibility.

At Power of Attorney Online, we help people create clear, well structured LPAs that are easier for banks, care providers and public bodies to understand and accept. That clarity gives families confidence and helps ensure decisions are respected when it matters most.