Is a Lasting Power of Attorney Worth It?
At £92, an LPA is one of the most valuable legal documents you will ever create — here is why.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
Nobody buys home insurance expecting their house to burn down. A Lasting Power of Attorney works the same way — you hope you never need it, but the consequences of not having one can be devastating. When you look at the numbers, the emotional impact on your family, and the practical reality of the alternative, the case is overwhelming: an LPA is one of the best investments you can make in your future.
At a glance
- Yes — an LPA costs £92 to register with no ongoing fees, compared to £1,500+ in the first year for a Court of Protection deputyship
- With an LPA you choose who manages your affairs; without one, the court decides
- A registered LPA can be used immediately when needed; a deputyship application takes months
- Creating an LPA spares your family the stress, cost, and bureaucracy of court proceedings at an already difficult time
The Cost of an LPA vs the Cost of Not Having One
The financial comparison between creating an LPA and the alternative — applying to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order — is stark. Here is how the costs compare:
Creating an LPA
- Registration fee: £92 per LPA
- Both types: £184 total
- Fee reductions available
- No ongoing fees
- No solicitor required
- Total typical cost: £92–£184
Court of Protection Deputyship
- Court application fee: £371
- Assessment fee: £100
- Solicitor fees: £1,000–£3,000+
- Annual supervision fee: £320
- Security bond: varies
- Total first year: £1,500–£4,000+
The difference is enormous. An LPA costs £92 and involves no ongoing fees. A deputyship application costs at least £1,500 in the first year alone, with annual supervision fees of £320 every year thereafter. Over a period of five years, the total cost of a deputyship can easily exceed £3,000 — and that is before accounting for any legal complications. As our guide on how an LPA is cheaper than the Court of Protection explains, the financial case is overwhelming.
Key point: An LPA costs £92. The Court of Protection alternative costs £1,500+ in the first year alone, with ongoing annual fees. The financial case for an LPA is unanswerable.
You Choose Who Acts for You
Beyond the financial argument, one of the most important benefits of an LPA is that you decide who will manage your affairs. When you create an LPA, you hand-pick the person or people you trust most to act on your behalf. You can choose your spouse, a child, a close friend, or a professional — whoever you believe will best represent your interests and respect your wishes.
Without an LPA, if you lose capacity, the Court of Protection will decide who manages your affairs. While the court usually appoints a close family member, this is not guaranteed. The court may:
- Appoint a family member you would not have chosen
- Appoint a professional deputy (such as a solicitor or local authority), particularly if there are family disputes
- Impose conditions on the deputy that limit what they can do
- Require the deputy to report regularly to the court, adding bureaucracy and cost
With an LPA, you are in control. You make the choice while you have the capacity to do so, and your choice is respected.
Speed: Why Timing Matters with an LPA
Time is another critical factor. An LPA, once registered, can be used immediately when needed. Your attorney simply presents the registered LPA to the bank, care home, or other institution, and they can begin acting on your behalf straight away.
By contrast, a Court of Protection deputyship application takes a minimum of several months — and contested cases can take a year or more. During this waiting period:
- Nobody can legally access your bank accounts or manage your finances
- Bills may go unpaid, direct debits may fail, and debts may accumulate
- Your property cannot be sold or rented, even if the funds are desperately needed
- Important financial decisions are delayed, potentially causing significant losses
- Your family is left powerless, watching your affairs deteriorate while the court process grinds on
The stress and frustration this causes families is immense. An LPA eliminates this delay entirely. For a fuller picture of the consequences, see our guide on what happens without an LPA.
The Emotional Burden on Your Family
The financial and practical arguments for an LPA are compelling on their own. But the emotional impact on your family may be the most important consideration of all.
When a loved one loses capacity without an LPA in place, the experience for their family is deeply distressing:
- Helplessness — family members are forced to watch their loved one's affairs fall into disarray while they wait for court authority to act
- Frustration — dealing with banks, utility companies, and care providers who (rightly) refuse to take instructions from someone with no legal authority is deeply frustrating
- Family conflict — the court process can trigger disputes about who should be appointed as deputy, adding stress to an already difficult situation
- Guilt — many families feel guilty about applying to the court to take control of a loved one's affairs, even when it is necessary and in the person's best interests
- Financial anxiety — the inability to access funds to pay for care, maintain the family home, or meet everyday expenses creates enormous worry
Creating an LPA is an act of kindness towards your family. It spares them the emotional burden of a court application and gives them the authority they need to support you without unnecessary barriers.
Key point: The true value of an LPA is not measured in pounds alone. It is measured in the stress, delay, and heartache that your family is spared when they can act on your behalf immediately and without court involvement.
Peace of Mind
Perhaps the simplest argument for an LPA is peace of mind. Once your LPA is created and registered, you know that:
- Someone you trust will manage your finances if you cannot
- Someone who knows and loves you will make healthcare and care decisions on your behalf
- Your family will not face a costly and stressful court process
- Your wishes and preferences will be followed as closely as possible
- Your affairs will be handled seamlessly, without delay or bureaucratic obstacles
This peace of mind is valuable at any age, but it becomes increasingly important as you get older. Conditions like dementia, stroke, and other cognitive impairments become more common with age, and having an LPA already in place means you are prepared for whatever the future holds.
The Bottom Line: Is an LPA Worth the Cost?
By any measure — financial, practical, or emotional — a Lasting Power of Attorney is unquestionably worth the modest cost and effort involved. Consider the comparison:
- £92 for an LPA vs £1,500+ for the Court of Protection
- A few weeks to set up vs months of court delays
- Your choice of attorney vs the court's decision
- No ongoing fees vs £320 per year in supervision
- Peace of mind vs stress and uncertainty
An LPA is not just a legal document — it is a safety net for you and a gift to your family. It costs less than a typical car service, takes less time than organising a holiday, and provides protection that no amount of money can buy after it is too late. The only question is not whether an LPA is worth it, but whether you can afford not to have one.
Don't wait until it's too late. Our guided LPA service makes it easy to protect your family, starting from just £92 to register. See pricing.
Key Takeaways
- £92 vs £1,500+ — the cost of an LPA versus the first-year cost of a Court of Protection deputyship, plus £320 per year in ongoing supervision fees
- You stay in control — you hand-pick your attorneys rather than leaving the decision to a court that may appoint someone you would not have chosen
- Immediate authority vs months of waiting — a registered LPA works straight away when needed, while a deputyship application takes 12–20 weeks or longer
- Anyone over 18 can create one — loss of capacity from accidents or illness can happen at any age, so an LPA is not just for the elderly
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an LPA cost compared to the Court of Protection?
An LPA costs £92 to register with no ongoing fees. A Court of Protection deputyship application costs £1,500 or more in the first year, plus annual supervision fees of £320. Over five years, a deputyship can easily exceed £3,000.
At what age should I make an LPA?
Anyone aged 18 or over with mental capacity can make an LPA. While loss of capacity is more common in later life, accidents and sudden illnesses can happen at any age. Many advisers recommend creating an LPA alongside your first will.
Can my family manage my affairs without an LPA?
No. Being a spouse, child, or next of kin does not give anyone automatic legal authority over your finances or healthcare decisions. Without an LPA, your family must apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order, which is costly and time-consuming.
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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