What Mistakes Delay LPA registration?

06th March 2025

Updated: Tuesday 20th January 2026

What Mistakes Delay LPA registration? is a concern many people only realise once they start the process. Applying for a Lasting Power of Attorney is a key step in protecting your future, but it is not something that can be rushed or completed casually. Even small errors can lead to delays or rejection by the Office of the Public Guardian, which may leave you unprotected when you need support most. Understanding what can go wrong, and how mistakes are handled, helps ensure your LPA is completed correctly and ready to be relied upon.

Why do mistakes in an LPA application matter?

An LPA has no legal effect until it is registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. If mistakes are found during registration, the OPG may pause or refuse the application.

This can result in weeks or months of delay. In serious cases, you may need to submit a brand new application and pay the registration fee again. If your capacity changes while the LPA is delayed, it may never be registered at all.

Can the Office of the Public Guardian reject an LPA application?

Yes. The OPG checks every application carefully and will reject LPAs that do not meet legal requirements.

Common reasons for rejection include missing signatures, incorrect dates, pages signed in the wrong order, or unclear instructions. Even a small error can invalidate the document because LPAs must be precise and legally consistent.

What happens if your LPA is delayed or rejected?

If your LPA is delayed, your chosen attorneys cannot act for you. This means no access to bank accounts, no authority to manage bills and no ability to make health or care decisions on your behalf.

If your application is rejected, you may need to start again. This can be stressful, particularly if the LPA was needed urgently due to illness or an unexpected situation.

How could mistakes affect your family or loved ones?

Without a registered LPA, your loved ones have no automatic legal authority to help you. If urgent decisions are needed, they may have to apply to the Court of Protection for deputyship.

Deputyship applications are expensive, time consuming, and closely supervised by the court. This process often causes unnecessary stress and could have been avoided with a correctly registered LPA.

What are the most common LPA mistakes?

Experience shows that the most frequent errors include:

• Signing the form in the wrong order
• Missing or incorrect dates
• Using the wrong LPA type
• Unclear or contradictory instructions
• Errors when notifying named people

These mistakes are easy to make but difficult to fix once the form has been submitted.

How can you avoid mistakes in your UK Power of Attorney application?

The most reliable way to avoid errors is to use a guided online service that checks your application before submission. Clear instructions, built in checks and expert review can significantly reduce the risk of rejection.

Taking time to review each section carefully and ensuring all signatures and dates are correct can save months of delay later.

Why getting it right the first time matters

An LPA is designed to protect you at vulnerable moments. Delays caused by mistakes can leave you exposed at exactly the wrong time.

By completing your LPA carefully and using expert guidance, you can be confident that your application will move smoothly through registration and be ready if it is ever needed. Power of Attorney Online helps ensure your LPA is accurate, compliant and trusted from the start.