What Happens If You Have No Power of Attorney?

29th October 2025

Many people only think about setting up a Power of Attorney when it’s too late. But if you lose mental capacity and have no Power of Attorney in place, your loved ones could face a long, expensive, and stressful legal process just to make basic decisions for you.

Understanding what happens in this situation, and how to prevent it, is key to protecting both your wellbeing and your family’s peace of mind.

Why Having No UK Power of Attorney Creates Serious Problems

If you have no Power of Attorney, your family or friends can’t automatically manage your finances, access your bank account, or make health decisions for you. Even your spouse or children have no automatic legal right to “just step in.”

In this situation, they would need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. This is a process that can take several months, cost significantly more than an LPA, and involve ongoing court supervision.

By contrast, setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) while you still have mental capacity gives you control and ensures the people you trust can act on your behalf quickly and confidently when needed.

Simple UK Lasting Power of Attorney Guidance

Creating a Power of Attorney might sound daunting, but with the right LPA guidance, it’s straightforward. You’ll need to decide who you want to act as your attorneys, who are the people who will make decisions for you if you can’t.

There are two types of LPA:

• Property and Financial Affairs LPA – allows your attorneys to manage money, property, and bills.
• Health and Welfare LPA – covers medical treatment, care decisions, and living arrangements.

Both can be set up together for full protection, or individually depending on your circumstances.

The UK Lasting Power of Attorney Process

The Lasting Power of Attorney process involves completing and registering official documents with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). Traditionally, this was a lengthy paper-based task, but modern online platforms have made it much simpler.

With a Lasting Power of Attorney online application, you can complete your forms digitally, receive step-by-step guidance, and make sure every section is correct before submission. This reduces errors, saves time and ensures your application is ready for registration with the OPG.

Start Your UK Lasting Power of Attorney Online Application

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Without a Power of Attorney, even simple financial or medical decisions can become complicated and distressing for your loved ones.

Taking action now is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your future.

If you’d like expert help completing your Lasting Power of Attorney online application, Power of Attorney Online can guide you through every step of the process, from preparation to submission, with clear, easy-to-follow Lasting Power of Attorney guidance.