Lasting Power of Attorney UK: A Carer’s Step-By-Step Guide

26th November 2025

Updated: Monday 30th March 2026

If you’re caring for a loved one, helping them manage their decision making safely and legally is really central to your role. The process of applying for an Lasting Power of Attorney can feel intimidating if you’re doing it for the first time, so here’s a carer-friendly, step-by-step guide so you can quickly understand what you’re dealing with.

What’s an LPA in the UK?

An LPA allows someone to give people they trust the authority to make decisions if they lose mental capacity. There are two types of LPA:

• Health & Welfare LPA, which covers care, daily routines, medical treatment.
• Property & Financial Affairs LPA, which covers money, bills, banking and property.

As a carer, you may be helping the donor apply for their LPA, but the decision to create it in the first place must always be of their own free will.

Who actually needs a Lasting Power of Attorney?

It’s really for anyone who wants their affairs to be handled smoothly if they find themselves in a situation where they’re unable to make decisions. Specifically for carers, an LPA can prevent crisis moments later down the line and, worst case scenario, avoid having to go to the Court of Protection retrospectively to get similar authority to what an LPA would grant you anyway.

How can a Carer help someone set up an LPA?

You can support with organising getting the task done and explaining things as you go, but you’re not there t influence their decisions. Your role is a practical one, not as a persuader.

Step 1: How do you start an LPA?

Q: Where do you begin as a carer?
A: Start by choosing the right forms . The donor needs either or both these:

• Form LP1F (Property & Finance)
• Form LP1H (Health & Welfare)

The donor must decide who their attorneys will be and how they should act in the LPA.

Step 2: Who needs to sign the LPA?

Q: What signatures are required?
A: All of the following will need to sign the LPA:

1. The donor
2. A certificate provider, which is someone who confirms the donor understands the LPA and is registering it of their own freewill.
3. Each attorney and any replacement attorney’s, if applicable
4. A witness for each signature

As a carer, it’s fine to witness signatures, unless you are an attorney or family member of the donor.

Step 3: How do you register an LPA?

Q: How is the LPA submitted so it’s formally registered?
A: You’ll need to send the completed forms to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) with the £92 fee per LPA (fee reductions do exist for certain benefits, so they’re worth looking into).
The OPG will check the forms and finish the registration of the LPA within 8-12 weeks.

Step 4: When can the LPA be Used?

This differs slightly depending on the LPA:

• Property & Finance LPA: as soon as it’s registered, with the donor’s consent.
• Health & Welfare LPA: this is only when the donor loses capacity.

What if you’re a Carer and also an Attorney?

You must follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which means acting in the donor’s best interests, keeping records on what decisions you’ve and never mixing their finances with yours.

Supporting someone through an LPA application using a service like Power of Attorney Online is one of the biggest acts of care you can offer. It brings stability, avoids legal delays and ensures the wishes of the person you’re caring for stay at the centre of every decision.