What Happens if I don’t have an LPA?

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)

31st July 2025

Updated: Tuesday 3rd February 2026

What Happens if I don’t have an LPA? Why making an LPA is Bigger than you think becomes clear once you look beyond the paperwork itself.Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney can feel like a quiet, personal task, something to tick off for peace of mind or to deal with later in life. In reality, an LPA reaches far further than many people realise. It protects the individual, supports families at difficult moments, and helps reduce pressure across the legal, health and care systems in England and Wales.

What does an LPA really protect?

An LPA gives someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. This could happen through illness, an accident, or conditions linked to ageing. Having this protection in place means your wishes can still guide decisions about your finances, property, health and care.

For families, this clarity is invaluable. Without an LPA, loved ones may have no automatic right to help, even in urgent situations. They may be forced to apply to the Court of Protection, a process that can take months and involve significant costs. An LPA removes this uncertainty and allows families to act quickly and confidently.

How does an LPA support families during a crisis?

When capacity is lost, emotions often run high. Families are dealing with worry, change, and difficult choices. An LPA reduces conflict and stress by clearly setting out who can act and how decisions should be made.

Instead of navigating legal barriers, families can focus on care, communication, and emotional support. This practical benefit is often underestimated until people experience the alternative first hand.

Why do LPAs matter to the NHS and social care?

The impact of LPAs extends beyond individual households. Without one, healthcare professionals can face delays when consent is unclear or decision makers are not legally recognised. This can lead to longer hospital stays, delayed discharges and repeated appointments.

When an LPA is in place, doctors, care teams, and local authorities know who they can speak to and who has authority to decide. This helps services run more smoothly and ensures people receive timely care, easing pressure on the NHS and social care systems.

How do LPAs improve trust and safeguarding?

Registered LPAs create a clear legal framework that protects vulnerable people. Attorneys are bound by the Mental Capacity Act and overseen by the Office of the Public Guardian. This structure promotes transparency and accountability.

Using a trusted digital service, such as Power of Attorney Online, adds further safeguards. Guided steps, expert checks and secure handling of information help reduce errors and lower the risk of misuse. This builds confidence for donors, attorneys, and professionals alike.

Is an LPA only relevant later in life?

A common misconception is that LPAs are only for older people. In reality, loss of capacity can happen at any age. Accidents, sudden illness or unexpected medical events do not discriminate.

Normalising LPAs among younger adults creates a culture of planning rather than reacting. This shift helps individuals, families, and society become better prepared for uncertainty.

Why taking action now makes a wider difference

Making an LPA is one of the simplest legal steps you can take, yet its impact is significant. It protects your wishes, supports your loved ones and helps vital public services function more effectively.

At Power of Attorney Online, we combine legal expertise with practical experience to make the process clear, affordable, and accessible. By setting up your LPA today, you are not just planning for yourself. You are contributing to a more resilient and compassionate system for everyone.

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.