Can an LPA Be Cancelled or Changed?
Life changes. Here's how to revoke, amend, or replace your Lasting Power of Attorney when circumstances shift.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
Life does not stand still, and sometimes the LPA you created a few years ago no longer reflects your circumstances. Perhaps you have divorced, fallen out with your chosen attorney, or simply changed your mind about who should manage your affairs. A Lasting Power of Attorney can be cancelled (revoked) or replaced — but the process depends on whether the LPA has been registered and whether the donor still has mental capacity.
At a glance
- Yes, an LPA can be cancelled (revoked) by the donor at any time while they still have mental capacity
- An LPA cannot be amended once signed; changes require revoking the old LPA and creating a new one
- Revoking a registered LPA requires a written deed of revocation sent to the OPG
- If the donor has lost capacity, only the Court of Protection can cancel the LPA
Revoking an LPA Before Registration
If you have created an LPA but have not yet sent it to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) for registration, you can simply cancel it by destroying the original document. There is no formal process required at this stage.
You may also want to:
- Write "Revoked" across the front page of the LPA document
- Notify the named attorneys that the LPA has been cancelled
- Destroy any copies that have been distributed
Since an unregistered LPA has no legal effect, there is no obligation to notify the OPG. However, it is good practice to inform everyone involved so there is no confusion later.
Revoking an LPA After Registration
Once an LPA has been registered with the OPG, the revocation process is more formal. The donor must complete a deed of revocation — a written statement confirming that the LPA is cancelled. This requires the following steps:
- Prepare a written deed of revocation (there is no official OPG form for this, but it must be signed and witnessed)
- Send the deed of revocation to the OPG so they can update their records
- Notify all named attorneys in writing that the LPA has been revoked
- Notify any organisation that has been given a certified copy of the LPA (such as banks or care providers)
Important: The donor must have mental capacity to revoke a registered LPA. If the donor has lost capacity, only the Court of Protection can cancel the LPA.
Can You Change an Existing LPA Without Starting Over?
An LPA cannot be amended once it has been signed. You cannot cross out a section, add a new attorney, or change your preferences on an existing document. Any alteration to the original form will invalidate it.
If you need to make changes, you must:
- Revoke the existing LPA (following the process above)
- Create a completely new LPA with the updated details
- Register the new LPA with the OPG (paying the £92 registration fee again)
Changes That Require a New LPA
There are several common life events that may mean your existing LPA is no longer suitable:
Divorce or Separation
If your spouse is named as an attorney and you divorce, their appointment is automatically revoked for a Property and Financial Affairs LPA. You should create a new LPA with a different attorney.
Attorney Dies or Becomes Incapable
If your sole attorney dies or loses capacity, the LPA can no longer be used. If you appointed replacement attorneys, the replacement steps in automatically. Otherwise, a new LPA is needed.
You Want to Add an Attorney
You cannot add a new attorney to an existing LPA. If you want additional people to act on your behalf, you must revoke the current LPA and create a new one with the updated list of attorneys.
Change in Preferences
If your views on medical treatment, living arrangements, or financial management have changed significantly, a new LPA lets you update your preferences and instructions accordingly.
When Attorneys Can Be Replaced Automatically
If you named replacement attorneys when you created your LPA, they will step in automatically if an original attorney can no longer act. This happens when an attorney:
- Dies
- Loses mental capacity
- Disclaims their appointment (decides they no longer wish to act)
- Becomes bankrupt (for a Property and Financial Affairs LPA only)
- Is divorced from the donor (for a Property and Financial Affairs LPA only)
The replacement attorney does not need to apply to the court or the OPG — they simply begin acting in place of the original attorney. This is one of the key reasons we recommend naming at least one replacement attorney when creating your LPA.
What If the Donor Has Lost Mental Capacity?
Once the donor has lost mental capacity, they can no longer revoke their LPA. At that point, the only way to cancel or change an LPA is through an application to the Court of Protection.
The court may revoke an LPA if:
- The attorney is not acting in the donor's best interests (see our guide on the duties of an attorney)
- The attorney is behaving dishonestly or negligently
- There is evidence of fraud, abuse, or undue pressure
- The attorney is no longer suitable to act (for example, due to their own health)
Key point: Anyone can raise concerns about how an attorney is acting by contacting the Office of the Public Guardian. The OPG has the power to investigate and, if necessary, refer the matter to the Court of Protection.
More Guides About Changing or Challenging an LPA
The formal process for cancelling a registered LPA with the OPG How to Change Attorneys on an LPA
Why you need a new LPA to appoint different attorneys What Happens If You Change Your Mind About an LPA?
Your options before and after the LPA has been registered Can You Update an LPA After It Is Registered?
What can and cannot be changed on a registered LPA document Can a Lasting Power of Attorney Be Challenged?
Legal grounds for disputing an LPA through the Court of Protection Family Members Disagree About an LPA?
How to handle disputes between relatives over Power of Attorney decisions What Happens If an LPA Is Misused?
Signs of abuse and the safeguards that protect the donor How to Report an Attorney Misusing an LPA
Step-by-step guide to raising concerns with the OPG
Prevention is better than cure. A properly drafted LPA can prevent many of these problems. Learn how our service works or see pricing.
Key Takeaways
- Unregistered LPAs are easy to cancel — simply destroy the document and notify the named attorneys; no formal process is required
- Registered LPAs need a deed of revocation — this must be signed, witnessed, and sent to the OPG along with notification to all attorneys and relevant organisations
- No amendments are possible — you cannot add, remove, or swap attorneys on an existing LPA; any change requires a completely new document and a fresh £92 registration fee
- Divorce triggers automatic changes — if your ex-spouse is an attorney on a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, their appointment is automatically revoked upon divorce
- Replacement attorneys provide a safety net — naming replacements when creating the LPA means they step in automatically if an original attorney can no longer act
Cancelling or Changing an LPA: Answers to Key Questions
Do I have to pay the £92 registration fee again if I replace my LPA?
Yes. If you revoke an existing LPA and create a new one, you will need to pay the £92 OPG registration fee for the replacement LPA. The fee from the original registration is not transferable or refundable in this situation.
Can I just add a new attorney to my existing LPA?
No. An LPA cannot be amended once it has been signed. You cannot add, remove, or swap attorneys on an existing document. If you want to change your attorneys, you must revoke the current LPA and create a completely new one.
What happens to my LPA if I get divorced?
If your former spouse or civil partner is named as an attorney on a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, their appointment is automatically revoked when the divorce or dissolution is finalised (unless the LPA specifically states otherwise). You should create a new LPA with a different attorney as soon as possible.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Official resources from GOV.UK
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