How Long Does an LPA Last?
A Lasting Power of Attorney does not expire — but there are circumstances when it comes to an end.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
A registered Lasting Power of Attorney lasts indefinitely. There is no expiry date, no renewal fee, and no requirement to resubmit it after a set number of years. That said, an LPA does not last forever in every situation — certain life events will bring it to an end. This guide explains exactly when an LPA stops being valid and whether you should consider updating yours.
At a glance
- A registered LPA lasts indefinitely — there is no expiry date, no renewal fee, and no requirement to resubmit
- An LPA ends automatically when the donor dies, and can also end if the donor revokes it or the Court of Protection cancels it
- You cannot amend an existing LPA — to make changes, you must revoke and create a new one, paying the £92 registration fee again
An LPA Does Not Expire
Once a Lasting Power of Attorney has been registered with the OPG, it remains valid indefinitely. There is no expiry date, no renewal process, and no requirement to resubmit the document after a certain number of years. An LPA created and registered in 2010 is just as valid in 2026 as it was when it was first registered.
This is by design. The purpose of an LPA is to provide long-term security for the donor, ensuring that trusted people can act on their behalf if and when the need arises. Requiring regular renewal would undermine this purpose, as there could be a gap in coverage if the donor lost capacity before the renewal was completed.
Worth knowing: this is different from some other types of power of attorney. An ordinary (general) power of attorney, for example, automatically becomes invalid if the donor loses mental capacity. An LPA, by contrast, is specifically designed to continue working even after the donor has lost capacity — that is the whole point of making one.
When Does an LPA End?
Although an LPA does not expire, there are specific events that bring it to an end:
- The donor dies: An LPA automatically ends when the donor dies. Attorneys have no authority to act after the donor's death — the donor's estate is then handled through their will (by their executors) or through the rules of intestacy if there is no will.
- The donor revokes the LPA: While the donor still has mental capacity, they can revoke (cancel) the LPA at any time. This requires a formal deed of revocation for a registered LPA. See our guide on how to revoke an LPA.
- The Court of Protection cancels it: The Court of Protection has the power to revoke an LPA if it finds that the attorney is acting improperly, or if the LPA was created as a result of fraud or undue pressure.
- The attorney can no longer act: If the sole attorney (or all joint attorneys) dies, loses capacity, disclaims their appointment, or becomes bankrupt (for a Property and Financial Affairs LPA), the LPA can no longer be used. If replacement attorneys were named, they step in and the LPA continues.
- Divorce (Property and Financial Affairs LPA only): If the donor's spouse or civil partner is named as an attorney and the couple divorces or the civil partnership is dissolved, that person's appointment as attorney is automatically revoked. If no other attorneys or replacement attorneys remain, the LPA ceases to be effective.
Key point: Naming replacement attorneys when you create your LPA is one of the best ways to ensure it continues to be effective even if an original attorney can no longer act.
Do You Need to Renew an LPA?
No, you never need to renew an LPA. There is no renewal fee, no renewal form, and no requirement to re-register the document at any point. Once registered, the LPA remains on the OPG's register permanently (or until it is revoked or the donor dies).
That said, just because you do not need to renew does not mean you should never look at it again. It is good practice to review your LPA periodically to check whether your chosen attorneys are still appropriate and whether your preferences and instructions still reflect your wishes. Life changes — such as divorce, bereavement, or a change in your relationship with an attorney — may mean your LPA is no longer suitable.
Should You Update Your LPA?
While an LPA never expires, there are good reasons to consider creating a new one to replace an existing LPA. You might want to update your LPA if:
- You have divorced or separated from a person named as an attorney
- An attorney has died or is no longer someone you trust
- Your views on medical treatment, care preferences, or financial management have changed significantly
- You want to add additional attorneys or change the way your attorneys work together
- Your personal circumstances have changed substantially (for example, you have moved to a different part of the country, or your financial situation has changed)
To update your LPA, you must revoke the existing one and create a new LPA with the changes you want. You cannot simply amend or edit an existing LPA document. For more on this process, see our guide on can an LPA be cancelled or changed.
Old-Style Enduring Powers of Attorney
If you have an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) that was created before October 2007, it is still valid. EPAs were replaced by LPAs under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, but existing EPAs continue to be legally effective. Like LPAs, EPAs do not expire.
The limitation of an EPA is that it only covers property and financial affairs — they do not cover health and welfare decisions. If you have an EPA and want someone to make health and care decisions on your behalf, you would need to create a Health and Welfare LPA separately. You do not need to revoke your EPA to create an LPA, and both can exist at the same time.
Storing Your LPA Document for the Long Term
Since an LPA lasts indefinitely, you need to store the original document safely for the long term. Keep it in a secure, fireproof location and make sure your attorneys and trusted family members know where it is. You should also consider making certified copies for your attorneys to use, so the original does not need to be carried around.
If you lose the original document, you can request a certified copy from the OPG. For more information, see our guide on what happens after an LPA is registered.
Make sure your LPA is properly drafted so it works when you need it. See how our service works or check our pricing.
Key Takeaways
- No renewal ever required — an LPA registered in 2010 remains fully valid decades later, with no fees, forms, or resubmission needed
- Review periodically even though it does not expire — life changes like divorce, bereavement, or a falling-out may mean your chosen attorneys are no longer appropriate
- Naming replacement attorneys protects continuity — if an original attorney dies or can no longer act, a named replacement steps in automatically without court involvement
- Old-style EPAs from before October 2007 still work — Enduring Powers of Attorney remain valid but only cover property and financial affairs, not health and welfare
What People Ask About LPA Duration
Does an LPA need to be renewed every few years?
No. A registered LPA lasts indefinitely and never needs to be renewed. There is no renewal fee or renewal form. However, it is good practice to review your LPA periodically to ensure your chosen attorneys and preferences still reflect your wishes.
Does an LPA end when the donor dies?
Yes. An LPA automatically ends on the donor's death. The attorney's authority ceases immediately, and the donor's estate is then managed by the executors named in their will or by the rules of intestacy.
Can I update my LPA without creating a new one?
No. You cannot amend or edit an existing LPA document. To make changes, you must revoke the existing LPA and create a brand new one with the updated details, paying the £92 registration fee again.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Further reading from GOV.UK
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