Is It Cheaper to Make an LPA Yourself?
Weighing up the real costs of DIY versus professional help when creating a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
Making a Lasting Power of Attorney yourself is certainly the cheapest option on paper. You can use the government's online tool and pay only the £92 registration fee. But is it really cheaper once you factor in the risk of mistakes, the time involved, and the potential consequences of getting it wrong? This guide gives you an honest comparison.
At a glance
- The cheapest DIY route costs only the £92 government registration fee per LPA, but around 51,000 applications are rejected each year due to errors
- A solicitor typically charges £300 to £1,000+ per LPA; an online service costs £89 to £150 on top of the £92 fee
- If a DIY LPA is rejected, you lose the £92 fee and must pay again — potentially making it more expensive than using professional help
- Fee exemptions and 50% reductions are available for people on low incomes or means-tested benefits
The Cost of Making an LPA Yourself
If you create your LPA using the government's "Make a Lasting Power of Attorney" online service, the only cost is the £92 registration fee per LPA. This means you could create both types of LPA — Property and Financial Affairs, and Health and Welfare — for a total of just £184. However, the government's tool is a basic self-service system that provides no personalised guidance or document checking.
If you qualify for a fee reduction or exemption, the cost could be even lower. People on certain means-tested benefits pay nothing, and those earning under £12,000 per year pay half price. See our guide on LPA fee reductions and exemptions for more details.
On the face of it, this is remarkably good value for such an important legal document. However, the headline price does not tell the whole story.
What Does an Online LPA Service Cost?
Professional online LPA services guide you through the process with expert support. UKLPA, for example, charges just £89 per LPA on top of the £92 government registration fee, bringing your total to £181 per LPA.
For that additional cost, you receive step-by-step guidance through the process, help choosing the right options for your circumstances, professional checking of your completed documents before submission, and ongoing support if you have questions. Many services also handle the registration process for you.
What Does a Solicitor Charge?
Solicitor fees for preparing an LPA vary widely but typically fall between £300 and £1,000+ per LPA, including the £92 registration fee. In London and the South East, fees can exceed £1,000 per LPA. If you are making both types of LPA, you could be looking at £600 to £1,600 or more.
A solicitor provides face-to-face advice, handles the entire process from start to finish, and can act as your certificate provider. For a detailed breakdown of why these fees are so high, read our guide on why solicitors charge £500+ for an LPA.
Key point: The £92 government fee is the same regardless of how you create your LPA. The only difference in cost is the preparation and advice element.
Cost Comparison: Your Options
| Method | Cost per LPA | Both LPAs |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitor | £300 – £1,000+ | £500 – £1,500+ |
| Other online services | £100 – £250 | £180 – £450 |
| UKLPA | £89 | £149 (save £29) |
| All options require the £92 per LPA government registration fee on top. | ||
Total Cost Examples
Single LPA with UKLPA.co.uk
Our fee: £89
Government fee: £92
Total: £181
Both LPAs with UKLPA.co.uk
Our fee: £149
Government fee: £184
Total: £333
The Hidden Costs of DIY LPA Mistakes
The biggest risk of making an LPA yourself is getting something wrong. LPAs have strict legal requirements, and mistakes are more common than you might expect. Here are the potential hidden costs:
Rejection by the OPG
If the OPG rejects your LPA due to errors, your £92 fee is not refunded. You will need to correct the problems, resubmit, and pay the fee again. Common errors include incorrect signing order, missing witness signatures, and invalid certificate provider statements. Each rejection costs you another £92 plus the time to redo the paperwork. For more on common pitfalls, see our guide on common mistakes when creating an LPA.
Time and Effort
Creating an LPA yourself requires research and careful attention to detail. You need to understand the difference between joint and joint-and-several attorneys, decide on restrictions and preferences, find a suitable certificate provider, coordinate the signing process, and handle the registration. For many people, this takes several hours spread over multiple weeks. Your time has value, even if it does not appear on a bill.
Poor Choices That Cause Problems Later
Without professional guidance, you might make choices that seem sensible now but cause serious problems in the future. For example, appointing attorneys to act "jointly" means all must agree on every decision — if one becomes unavailable, the entire LPA may become unusable. Or you might include restrictions that inadvertently limit your attorneys' ability to help you when you need it most. These are not errors that the OPG will catch, because they are technically valid — just unwise.
The Ultimate Hidden Cost: No LPA at All
If the DIY process feels too complicated and you give up without completing it, the true cost could be enormous. Without a valid LPA, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order if you lose mental capacity. This costs over £1,000 in court fees alone, plus ongoing supervision charges, and can take six months or more. The "savings" from avoiding a small service fee pale in comparison.
The Bottom Line
For most people with straightforward circumstances, an online service offers the best balance of cost and peace of mind. You pay a modest amount more than the DIY route but get professional checking and guidance that significantly reduces the risk of costly mistakes.
For a full cost breakdown across all options, visit our comprehensive guide on how much an LPA costs.
Who Is the DIY LPA Route Best Suited For?
Making an LPA yourself can work well if you meet certain criteria:
- Your circumstances are straightforward, with no complex family dynamics or business interests
- You are comfortable reading and following official guidance carefully
- You have a clear idea of who you want as your attorneys
- You have someone suitable to act as your certificate provider
- You are confident in coordinating the signing process correctly
If any of these points give you pause, the small additional cost of an online service or professional advice is almost always worth it. For more on the DIY approach, read our guide on whether you can make an LPA yourself.
For a full breakdown of what you'll pay, see our LPA pricing page, or learn how our guided service works.
Key Takeaways
- DIY is cheapest on paper — the government tool is free and the only mandatory cost is the £92 registration fee per LPA.
- Rejection wipes out the savings — if your DIY LPA is rejected, the £92 is lost and you must pay again, potentially doubling your costs.
- Online services offer the best balance — professional checking and guidance for a fraction of solicitor fees significantly reduces the risk of costly errors.
- Solicitors are best for complex situations — business ownership, overseas assets, trusts or family disputes may justify the higher cost of legal advice.
- The real hidden cost is giving up — if the DIY process feels too complicated and you abandon it, your family may face Court of Protection costs exceeding £1,000.
Key Questions on LPA Costs
Do I get a refund if my DIY LPA is rejected by the OPG?
No. If the OPG rejects your LPA due to errors, the £92 registration fee is not refunded. You will need to correct the problems, resubmit, and pay the fee again, effectively doubling your costs.
Is it cheaper to use an online LPA service than a solicitor?
Yes, significantly. Online services typically charge £89 to £150 per LPA on top of the £92 government fee, compared to £300 to £1,000+ charged by solicitors. The resulting LPA is equally valid regardless of which route you choose.
Can I get the LPA registration fee waived if I am on a low income?
Yes. If you receive certain means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, you may qualify for a full exemption. If your gross annual income is below £12,000, you can get a 50% reduction, paying just £46 instead of £92.
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
An LPA Costs Less Than You Think
From just £92 to register — we handle the paperwork so you don’t have to.
