What If You Change Your Mind About an LPA?
You are never locked in. Here is how to cancel or change your LPA at every stage of the process.
Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed
People's lives change — relationships break down, trusted friends move abroad, health circumstances shift. So what happens if you have already started or completed an LPA and need to rethink? The good news is that you are never permanently locked in. You can change your mind at any stage, but the process for doing so depends on how far along the LPA is. This guide explains your options at each stage, from before signing through to after registration.
At a glance
- You can change your mind about an LPA at any stage — before signing, during registration, or after the LPA is registered
- A registered LPA must be formally revoked with a deed of revocation sent to the OPG; you must have mental capacity to do this
- Registered LPAs cannot be amended — any changes require creating a new LPA and revoking the old one
- The £92 registration fee is non-refundable once the LPA is registered
Before the LPA Is Signed
If you have started filling in an LPA form but have not yet signed it, you can simply stop and discard the paperwork. An unsigned LPA has absolutely no legal effect. You have no obligation to complete it, and there is nothing to formally cancel or revoke.
If you have been using the government's online LPA service, you can simply stop the process and let the application lapse. Your incomplete application will be deleted automatically after a period of inactivity. There is no fee at this stage, so you will not have lost any money.
After Signing but Before Registration
If the LPA has been signed by you (the donor), the certificate provider, and the attorneys, but has not yet been sent to the OPG for registration, it still has no legal effect. An LPA must be registered before it can be used, so at this stage you can cancel it informally:
- Destroy the original LPA document — tear it up, shred it, or write "Revoked" across every page
- Destroy any copies that have been made
- Inform the named attorneys and the certificate provider that you have decided not to proceed
Since no registration fee has been paid at this stage, there are no financial implications. You can start again with a new LPA whenever you are ready, with different attorneys, preferences, or instructions if you wish.
During the Registration Process
If you have already sent the LPA to the OPG and paid the £92 registration fee, but the registration has not yet been completed, you can still withdraw your application. Contact the OPG as soon as possible to request that the application be withdrawn:
- Call the OPG helpline on 0300 456 0300
- Write to the OPG at PO Box 16185, Birmingham, B2 2WH
- Email customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk
If you withdraw the application before registration is completed, the OPG may refund the registration fee, although this is at their discretion. The LPA documents will be returned to you. Once returned, you can destroy them as described above.
Key point: The sooner you contact the OPG to withdraw an application, the more likely you are to receive a refund of the registration fee. Once the LPA has been registered, the fee is not refundable.
After the LPA Has Been Registered
Once an LPA has been registered with the OPG, it is a fully valid legal document. If you change your mind at this stage, you must formally revoke the LPA. This requires:
- Preparing and signing a deed of revocation (a written statement cancelling the LPA), witnessed by an independent adult
- Sending the deed of revocation to the OPG so they can update their records
- Notifying all named attorneys in writing that the LPA has been revoked
- Notifying any third parties (banks, care homes, etc.) who hold certified copies of the LPA
The revocation process is straightforward but must be done properly to be legally effective. For a full step-by-step guide, see our detailed guide on how to revoke an LPA.
You must have mental capacity to revoke a registered LPA. If you have lost mental capacity, only the Court of Protection can cancel the LPA, and only in limited circumstances (such as evidence of attorney misconduct).
Changing Your Mind About Specific Details
If you do not want to cancel your LPA entirely but simply want to change something about it — such as the attorneys, the preferences, or the instructions — you cannot amend the existing document. Any changes require you to:
- Create a new LPA with the updated details
- Register the new LPA with the OPG (paying the £92 fee)
- Revoke the old LPA once the new one is registered
This process ensures there is no gap in coverage. For more information, see our guides on can an LPA be cancelled or changed and can you update an LPA after it is registered.
Can You Change Your LPA Without Revoking It?
No. Once an LPA has been signed and registered with the OPG, it cannot be amended in any way. You cannot change your attorneys, add new ones, remove existing ones, or modify the preferences and instructions on the document. The registered LPA is a fixed legal record.
If you need to change anything, the only option is to revoke the existing LPA and create a brand new one with the updated details. This means going through the full process again — choosing attorneys, signing, and registering — but it is the only legally valid way to change your mind about an LPA that has already been registered.
Tip: If you need to replace your LPA with updated details, our online service makes creating a new one straightforward.
Common Reasons People Change Their Mind About an LPA
You do not need a dramatic reason to reconsider your LPA — any change in your circumstances is enough. Some of the most common triggers include:
- A relationship breakdown with a named attorney (such as divorce or a family dispute)
- An attorney moving abroad or becoming unreliable
- A change in your health, finances, or personal circumstances
- Wanting to add additional attorneys or change how attorneys work together
- Updated views on medical treatment or care preferences
- Concern that an attorney may not act in your best interests
Whatever the reason, the important thing is to act while you still have mental capacity. Once capacity is lost, you can no longer make changes to your LPA arrangements.
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
- Before signing, simply stop — an unsigned LPA has no legal effect and you can discard it with no cost or formality.
- During registration, contact the OPG immediately — you may receive a discretionary refund of the £92 fee if you withdraw before registration completes.
- After registration, formally revoke — sign a deed of revocation, notify the OPG, inform all attorneys and any third parties holding copies.
- You cannot amend a registered LPA — any change to attorneys, instructions or preferences requires creating a new LPA (£92 fee) and revoking the old one.
- Act while you have capacity — once the donor loses mental capacity, only the Court of Protection can cancel an LPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my LPA if it has already been registered?
Yes, but you must formally revoke it by signing a deed of revocation, notifying the OPG, and informing all named attorneys and any third parties who hold copies. You must have mental capacity to revoke a registered LPA.
Will I get a refund of the £92 fee if I withdraw my LPA application?
If you withdraw before registration is completed, the OPG may refund the fee at their discretion. The sooner you contact them, the more likely a refund becomes. Once the LPA has been fully registered, the fee is not refundable.
Can I just change my attorney without creating a whole new LPA?
No. A registered LPA cannot be amended. To change your attorney, you must create a new LPA with the updated details, register it with the OPG, and then revoke the old one. This ensures there is no gap in your protection.
Is there a time limit for revoking an LPA?
No. You can revoke your LPA at any time, as long as you still have mental capacity. There is no deadline or time limit.
Do I get a refund if I revoke my LPA?
No. The £92 registration fee paid to the OPG is non-refundable. If you create a new LPA to replace the revoked one, you will need to pay the registration fee again.
Can my attorney stop me from revoking my LPA?
No. The donor has the absolute right to revoke their own LPA at any time while they have mental capacity. An attorney cannot prevent or override this.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Government guidance on GOV.UK
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