Lasting Power of Attorney Cost UK 2026 — Full Fee Guide
The mandatory Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) registration fee is £92 per LPA in 2026, increased from £82 in November 2025. If you also pay a solicitor to prepare the forms, expect to add £300–£600 per document. This guide breaks down every cost, explains who qualifies for fee reductions, and shows how to set up an LPA for £92 without a solicitor.
LPA cost breakdown: all options compared
| Option | Single LPA | Both LPAs | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY (GOV.UK forms only) | £92 | £184 | OPG registration fee only. No guidance — forms can be complex to complete correctly. |
| WillSafe UK LPA Pack | £92 + kit | £184 + kit | Step-by-step guidance notes, both form sets, certificate provider guide, registration checklist. OPG fee paid separately to OPG. |
| Online LPA service (e.g. Octopus Legacy) | £400+ | £699+ | Includes OPG fees. Guided online process with expert review. |
| High-street solicitor | £392–£692 | £600–£1,400+ | Bespoke advice, drafting, regulated service, PII. OPG fee included in most quotes. |
The OPG registration fee: £92 per LPA (2026)
Every LPA in England and Wales must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. The registration fee is:
- •£92 per LPA for applications received from 17 November 2025 onwards
- •£184 total if you register both a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and a Health & Welfare LPA
- •The fee is paid directly to the OPG, not to any service or solicitor you use to prepare the forms
- •You can pay by cheque (payable to “Office of the Public Guardian”) or online via the OPG's portal
Fee reductions and exemptions
You may pay less — or nothing — depending on the donor's income:
50% reduction — £46 per LPA
If the donor's gross annual income is below £12,000, the fee is halved. Apply using form LPA120A, submitted with your LPA application.
Full exemption — £0
Donors receiving certain means-tested benefits (Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment & Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, or Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit) may pay nothing. Note: Universal Credit no longer qualifies automatically from 2 February 2026.
Repeat-application remissions
If you previously registered an LPA with the OPG and paid the full fee, there is no refund or credit for a subsequent LPA. Each document is registered and charged separately.
Processing time: standard vs fast-track
The OPG's standard processing time in 2026 is approximately 20 weeks from receipt of a correctly completed application. This is not a typo. Start early.
- ✓Standard registration: ~20 weeks, £92 per LPA
- ✓Fast-track registration: ~5–7 working days, £231 per LPA (additional fee payable to OPG)
Important: An LPA cannot be used until it is registered. If the donor loses mental capacity before registration is complete, it is too late to create or register an LPA — the only route is a Court of Protection Deputyship, which costs £1,000–£5,000+ and takes 3–6 months. Register while the donor has full mental capacity.
Why does a solicitor charge £300–£600 on top of the OPG fee?
A solicitor's LPA fee pays for their time to:
- •Advise the donor on which type(s) of LPA are needed and the scope of attorney powers
- •Complete the OPG forms on the donor's behalf
- •Act as the certificate provider (the independent person who confirms the donor understands the LPA and is not under pressure) — this can save the separate certificate provider fee of £50–£150 if using a GP or other professional
- •Send the application to the OPG and handle any queries or requisitions
- •Provide regulated advice and maintain professional indemnity insurance
For a straightforward situation where the donor fully understands the process, many people use a DIY LPA pack to complete the forms themselves and ask a family friend (not a family member or someone who will benefit from the LPA) to act as the certificate provider at no charge.
The alternative: Court of Protection Deputyship (£1,000–£5,000+)
If someone loses mental capacity without an LPA in place, their family cannot simply access bank accounts, sell property, or make care decisions on their behalf. They must apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. The costs are substantially higher:
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court application fee | £371 |
| Solicitor fees (typically) | £1,500–£4,000 |
| OPG supervision fee (ongoing, per year) | £320/year (General) or £35/year (Minimal) |
| Time to obtain | 3–6 months typically |
An LPA at £184 (or £92 for a single LPA) avoids all of this.
Set up your LPA today
WillSafe UK's LPA Pack includes step-by-step guidance notes for both types of LPA, the correct form sets, a certificate provider guide, and a registration checklist. You pay the OPG registration fee directly to the OPG — your only mandatory cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LPA cost in the UK in 2026?+
The mandatory Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) registration fee is £92 per LPA, increased from £82 in November 2025. If you register both types (Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare), you pay £184. If you use a solicitor to prepare the forms, expect to pay an additional £300–£600 per LPA on top of the OPG fee. Using a DIY LPA pack like WillSafe UK's, the registration fee is your only mandatory cost.
Can I get a reduction or exemption from the OPG registration fee?+
Yes. If the donor's gross annual income is below £12,000, a 50% reduction applies — the fee becomes £46 per LPA. If the donor receives certain means-tested benefits (such as Income Support, Income-based JSA, or Housing Benefit), they may be exempt entirely. Note: from 2 February 2026, Universal Credit no longer automatically qualifies you for a fee reduction. Contact the OPG at 0300 456 0300 to apply for a reduction before submitting.
How long does it take for the OPG to register an LPA?+
As of 2026, the OPG's standard processing time is approximately 20 weeks from receipt of the correctly completed application. You can pay a fast-track fee of £231 per LPA to reduce this to around 5–7 working days. The LPA cannot be used until it is registered — so do not wait until a crisis. Register while the donor has full mental capacity.
Do I need two separate LPAs — one for finances and one for health?+
Yes. There are two separate types of LPA in England and Wales: Property & Financial Affairs (covers bank accounts, property, investments) and Health & Welfare (covers medical treatment, care home decisions, daily routine). They are separate documents, each requiring a separate £92 OPG fee. Most people benefit from having both.
What happens if I die without an LPA?+
If you lose mental capacity without an LPA, your family will need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. This typically costs £1,000–£5,000 in court and solicitor fees, takes 3–6 months, and the deputy is supervised annually with ongoing reporting obligations. An LPA set up now for £92–£184 avoids this entirely.
Can I set up an LPA myself without a solicitor?+
Yes. The LPA forms are available on GOV.UK and there is no legal requirement to use a solicitor. Using a DIY LPA pack that guides you step-by-step through the forms, the certificate provider requirement, and the registration process means your only mandatory cost is the OPG registration fee of £92 per LPA. WillSafe UK's LPA Pack includes both form sets with detailed guidance notes.
Self-help information only. WillSafe UK is a trading name of WSC Group Ltd. We are not solicitors and we do not provide legal advice. This guide is for general informational purposes only and covers the law in England & Wales. Fees quoted are correct as of May 2026 but may change — always verify current OPG fees at GOV.UK. For complex situations, please speak to a qualified solicitor. See our full disclaimer.