Choosing Attorneys for an LPA

24th June 2026

If you’re starting to think about Choosing Attorneys for an LPA, it’s easy to just focus on the legal paperwork itself. One of the most important decisions happens much earlier than that though. Choosing the right attorney, or attorneys, can have a big impact on how well your Lasting Power of Attorney works in practice.

Looking Beyond Family Relationships

A common assumption is that attorneys should just automatically be a spouse or adult child.

Sometimes that’s exactly the right choice. Sometimes it isn’t.

Being a loving family member doesn’t necessarily mean someone is suited to handling financial matters, speaking with healthcare professionals or making difficult decisions during really stressful situations.

It’s worth thinking about how a person manages responsibility in everyday life. Are they organised? Do they communicate well? Can they stay calm when faced with unexpected problems?

These qualities often matter more than family hierarchy when you’re planning for the future.

Will They Be Comfortable Acting for You?

An attorney’s role can involve significant responsibility.

They may need to manage bank accounts, deal with utility providers, arrange care, make decisions about property or communicate with medical professionals. Not everyone feels comfortable taking on those duties.

A conversation beforehand can be invaluable in helping to iron it out.

Many people are surprised to discover that someone they assumed would always be willing to act would actually prefer not to. Equally, another family member or friend may be more than happy to help, if you just ask them.

Choosing attorneys should be a collaborative discussion, rather than an assumption that’ll all work out in the end.

Thinking About Future Circumstances

The person you appoint today may need to act on your behalf many years from now.

That makes it sensible to consider what life could look like in the future.

Will they still live nearby? Are they likely to remain in good health? Could work commitments or family responsibilities make things more difficult if it comes to it later on?

Nobody can predict the future, but considering practical realities ahead of time now can help avoid complications later.

This is also why many people choose replacement attorneys as a backup so you’ve got a Plan B in hand.

Balancing Trust and Capability

Trust is absolutely essential.

An attorney may have access to sensitive information and significant decision-making authority.

At the same time, capability to perform the role matters too.

Someone can be completely trustworthy but struggle with paperwork, financial administration or managing complex conversations with organisations.

The strongest attorney appointments often combine both of those qualities.

Choosing More Than One Attorney

Many people appoint multiple attorneys.

This can provide additional support and reduce pressure on any one individual.

However, it’s important to think about how well those people work together. If communication is difficult or disagreements are likely, joint decision-making may become challenging at some point.

The aim is to create an arrangement that works smoothly, if it ever needs to be used in real life.

Making the Right Choice for Your Situation

There’s no universal answer when choosing attorneys.

Every family is different. Every relationship is different.

The most successful appointments tend to be based on trust, practical ability, reliability and a genuine understanding of the person’s wishes.

Taking a little extra time to think through these questions now, when you’re making your LPA using a service like Power of Attorney Online, can make a significant difference if your LPA is ever needed to be put to work in the future.