Check Your LPA Before Sending

By Matt Cresswell, Founder at Power of Attorney Online and author of
Everything you ever wanted to know about LPAs (but were afraid to ask)

29th April 2026

If you’re at the stage of double checking everything, Check Your LPA Before Sending is exactly the mindset you want to be in.

Most people only realise how precise a Lasting Power of Attorney needs to be right at the end. The forms are completed, signatures are done, and then a small doubt creeps in. Have I done this properly?

It’s a good instinct.

Because once your LPA is sent to the Office of the Public Guardian, any issues can mean delays or even rejection.

Why this final check matters

An LPA isn’t judged on intention. It’s judged on whether it follows the correct legal format.

That includes the order of signing, how names are written, and whether each section has been completed properly.

Even small inconsistencies can cause problems. A missing middle name. A date in the wrong place. A witness signing at the wrong time.

None of these feel major, but they can stop the registration going through.

Start with the basics

Before getting into detail, take a step back and look at the document as a whole or use a service like Power of Attorney Online that does this for you.

Are all sections filled in?
Are there any blanks where something should be completed?
Do all names match exactly across the form?

Consistency matters more than people expect.

If a name is written one way in one section and slightly differently in another, it can raise questions during review.

Check the signing order carefully

This is one of the most common causes of rejection.

The correct order is specific:

• The person making the LPA signs first
• Then the certificate provider
• Then the attorneys

Each signature must be witnessed correctly and dated in sequence.

If this order isn’t followed, the document may not be valid. It’s not something that can usually be corrected afterwards.

Review witnesses and certificate provider details

Witnesses need to meet certain requirements. They must be over 18 and independent from the relevant part of the document they are witnessing.

The certificate provider plays a different role. They confirm the person making the LPA understands what they are doing and isn’t under pressure.

Check that:

• Names and addresses are complete
• Signatures are clear
• Dates line up with the signing order

These details are easy to overlook, especially if multiple people are involved at different times.

Look for small but important errors

This is where a slow, careful read helps.

• Check spelling of names
• Check dates are consistent and in the correct format
• Check there are no missed tick boxes or incomplete sections

It doesn’t take long, but it can save weeks later.

Taking a second look before sending

By this stage, most people just want to get the forms posted.

That’s understandable. But this final check is where you protect all the effort you’ve already put in.

If something is wrong, it’s far easier to spot it now than after it’s been submitted.

Some people find it helpful to step away and come back with fresh eyes. Others ask someone else to look it over.

A steadier way to move forward

Once your LPA is sent, the process moves into the hands of the Office of the Public Guardian.

At that point, changes become much harder.

Taking a bit of extra time now gives you confidence that everything has been completed correctly and in the right order.

It’s a small pause before a long process. But it’s one that can make the difference between a smooth registration and having to start again.

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.