How to Make an LPA Without a Solicitor
You don't need a lawyer to create a legally valid Lasting Power of Attorney — here's how to do it yourself.
Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed
Do you need a solicitor to make an LPA? No. Thousands of people in England and Wales create their LPAs without any legal representation each year, and the resulting documents are just as legally valid. Whether you use the government's own tools or a guided online service like UKLPA, the process is designed to be accessible to everyone — and it can save you hundreds of pounds compared to solicitor fees.
At a glance
- You do not need a solicitor to create a legally valid LPA — the law makes no distinction
- An online service like UKLPA costs £89 per LPA plus the £92 OPG registration fee, compared to £300–£1,000+ with a solicitor
- The main risk of going fully DIY is making a mistake that leads to rejection by the OPG
- Legal advice is worthwhile for complex situations such as business ownership, overseas assets, or family disputes
How the DIY LPA Process Works
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out the legal framework for LPAs in England and Wales. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor when creating one. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) actively encourages people to create their own LPAs and provides tools to help them do so.
The basic process involves several steps: deciding which type of LPA you need (Property and Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare, or both), choosing your attorneys, selecting a certificate provider, filling in the required forms, signing them in the correct order, and submitting them for registration with the OPG.
For a detailed walkthrough of each step, see our guide on how to make an LPA in the UK.
Is an LPA Made Without a Solicitor Legally Valid?
Yes — completely valid. This is one of the most common concerns people have, but the law does not require a solicitor to be involved in creating an LPA. An LPA prepared through the government's online tool or a guided service like UKLPA is the exact same legal document as one prepared by a solicitor.
What matters is that the LPA is completed correctly, signed in the right order, and registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. If those requirements are met, your LPA carries the same legal weight regardless of whether a solicitor was involved.
Tip: Our guided service helps you create a legally valid LPA without a solicitor — with built-in error checks and step-by-step support. See our pricing.
Your Options for Creating an LPA Without a Solicitor
There are several routes available if you want to avoid solicitor fees:
- The OPG's online tool – The government provides a basic self-service tool at gov.uk that walks you through creating your LPA. You still need to print, sign, and post the documents yourself, and you must pay the £92 registration fee per LPA.
- Online LPA services – Services like UKLPA.co.uk guide you through a questionnaire, prepare your documents professionally, and provide clear signing instructions. UKLPA charges just £89 per LPA on top of the £92 registration fee — a fraction of the £300–£1,000+ that solicitors typically charge.
- Paper forms – You can download and complete the LPA forms by hand, though this is the most error-prone approach and any mistakes will cause your application to be rejected.
Key point: Whichever route you choose, the resulting LPA is equally legally valid. The law makes no distinction between an LPA prepared by a solicitor and one prepared by you.
Why an Online Service Can Be Better Than Going Fully DIY
While it is entirely possible to complete the OPG forms on your own, many people find the process confusing. The forms contain legal terminology, and the signing rules are strict — signing in the wrong order will invalidate your LPA entirely.
A guided online service bridges the gap between expensive solicitor fees and the complexity of doing everything yourself. Here is what a good online service typically provides:
What an Online LPA Service Offers
A plain-English questionnaire that gathers all the necessary information, professional document preparation and review, step-by-step signing instructions with the correct order clearly explained, a client portal where you can track your progress, and a guarantee that any errors in the documents will be corrected at no extra charge.
Common Pitfalls When Making an LPA Without Help
If you decide to fill in the OPG forms yourself without any guidance, there are several common pitfalls to be aware of:
- Signing order errors – The donor, certificate provider, and attorneys must sign in a specific order. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons for LPA rejection.
- Invalid certificate provider – Not everyone can act as a certificate provider. Close family members and anyone who would benefit from the LPA cannot perform this role.
- Incomplete or unclear preferences – Your instructions to your attorneys need to be clear and workable. Vague or contradictory preferences can cause problems later.
- Witness requirements – Specific rules apply to who can witness signatures. An attorney cannot witness the donor's signature, for example.
- Forgetting to register – An LPA is not legally valid until it has been registered with the OPG. Simply filling in the forms is not enough.
When You Might Still Need Legal Advice
While most people can create an LPA without a solicitor, there are situations where professional legal advice is genuinely worthwhile. These include owning a business where the LPA may interact with shareholder agreements, having assets in multiple countries, dealing with a complex trust or estate structure, or facing family disputes about who should be appointed as an attorney.
If you have an early diagnosis of dementia or another condition affecting mental capacity, it may also be sensible to have a solicitor or medical professional act as your certificate provider to provide additional evidence that you had capacity when the LPA was created.
For more detail on when legal advice adds value, read our guide on whether you need a solicitor for an LPA.
Cost Savings Without a Solicitor
One of the biggest advantages of making an LPA without a solicitor is the cost. Solicitors typically charge between £300 and £1,000 or more per LPA. If you need both types of LPA (Property and Financial Affairs plus Health and Welfare), that cost doubles.
By contrast, an online LPA service like UKLPA charges just £89 per LPA. Combined with the £92 OPG registration fee, the total cost of £181 per LPA is a fraction of what a solicitor would charge.
For a full breakdown of costs, see our guide to LPA costs.
Key Takeaways
- An LPA made without a solicitor is equally valid — the OPG treats all correctly completed LPAs the same, regardless of who prepared them
- Online services bridge the gap between DIY and solicitor fees — they provide error checking, document preparation, and signing instructions at a fraction of the cost
- The most common pitfall is signing in the wrong order — the donor, certificate provider, and attorneys must sign in a specific sequence or the LPA will be rejected
- The £92 registration fee is non-refundable if rejected — using a guided service reduces the risk of costly mistakes
- Seek legal advice for complex situations — business structures, overseas assets, trusts, or capacity concerns may benefit from professional input
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an LPA made without a solicitor legally valid?
Yes. The law makes no distinction between an LPA prepared by a solicitor and one prepared by yourself or an online service. As long as the LPA is completed correctly and registered with the OPG, it is equally legally valid regardless of who prepared it.
How much can I save by making an LPA without a solicitor?
Solicitors typically charge £300 to £1,000 or more per LPA. An online service like UKLPA charges £89 per LPA. Combined with the £92 OPG registration fee, the total is £181 per LPA compared to potentially over £1,000 with a solicitor.
When should I use a solicitor for my LPA instead of doing it myself?
Legal advice is worthwhile if you own a business with complex shareholder agreements, have assets in multiple countries, have a complex trust or estate structure, face family disputes about attorney appointments, or if the donor has an early dementia diagnosis where a professional certificate provider would strengthen the LPA's validity.
What is the biggest risk of making an LPA without a solicitor?
The main risk is making a mistake that leads to rejection by the OPG. The £92 registration fee is non-refundable if your application is rejected. Common errors include incorrect signing order and choosing an ineligible certificate provider.
How much do I save by not using a solicitor?
Solicitors typically charge £300–£1,000+ per LPA. An online service like UKLPA charges £89 per LPA. For both types, the saving is typically £400–£1,500 compared to a solicitor.
Can I get help without using a solicitor?
Yes. Guided online services walk you through each step, check for errors, and prepare your documents. This gives you professional support at a fraction of the cost.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Relevant government resources
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