Should Parents and Children Have LPAs for Each Other?

Written by James Tyrrell · Reviewed by Anthony Dalton · Last reviewed 11 April 2026

Yes — parents and adult children can and should consider creating Lasting Powers of Attorney that name each other as attorneys. Each LPA is an independent legal document, so a parent naming their child as attorney does not prevent that child from separately naming the parent as theirs. In fact, reciprocal LPAs within families are one of the most practical ways to make sure everyone is protected if something unexpected happens.

Why Parents Commonly Name Their Children as Attorneys

This is the arrangement most people think of first. A parent — typically in their 60s, 70s, or older — creates an LPA and names one or more of their adult children as attorneys. It is by far the most common LPA setup in England and Wales, and for good reason.

Adult children usually know their parents well, understand their values and preferences, and are motivated to act in their best interests. They are also likely to be available long-term, which matters because an LPA may not be needed for years or even decades after it is created.

• Trust — children are among the people parents trust most to manage their finances or make health decisions
• Knowledge — they often already help with practical matters like banking, bills, or medical appointments
• Availability — adult children are typically younger and more likely to be available when the LPA is eventually needed
• Motivation — they have a natural interest in their parent’s wellbeing and quality of life

For guidance on helping elderly parents set up their LPAs, see our guide on creating an LPA for elderly parents. And for the rules on appointing relatives, see appointing family members as attorneys.

Why Adult Children Should Have LPAs Too

This is the part that catches most families off guard. When people think about LPAs, they picture elderly parents — not a 25-year-old or a 35-year-old. But accidents, strokes, and serious illness do not check your age first. A car accident, a brain injury, a sudden medical emergency — any of these could leave a young adult unable to manage their own affairs.

Take someone like Ben, aged 28. He has a flat with a mortgage, a workplace pension, and a current account. If Ben were in a serious accident tomorrow and lost mental capacity, his parents would have no legal authority to access his bank account, deal with his mortgage provider, or make decisions about his medical care. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection for deputyship — a process that costs over £1,000, takes months, and involves ongoing supervision.

An LPA avoids all of that. If Ben had created a Property and Financial Affairs LPA naming his mum as attorney, she could step in immediately. The same applies for a Health and Welfare LPA — his parents could make medical decisions on his behalf without having to fight through a court process during an already devastating time.

For more on why age should not be a barrier, see our guide on young adults and LPAs.

Can Parents and Children Be Attorneys for Each Other?

Yes — absolutely. Each LPA is a separate legal document created by one person (the donor) and registered independently with the Office of the Public Guardian. There is no rule preventing reciprocal arrangements.

So if Sarah creates an LPA naming her daughter Emily as attorney, Emily can separately create her own LPA naming Sarah as her attorney. The two documents are completely independent. One does not affect the other, and there is no conflict of interest simply because the arrangement goes both ways.

The same principle applies across multiple family members. A mother could name her son as attorney, while the son names his wife and his mother jointly. Each person’s LPA reflects their own wishes and circumstances.

The Benefits of Reciprocal LPAs Within Families

When multiple family members create LPAs at the same time, the practical benefits multiply. Rather than just protecting one person, you create a safety net for the whole family.

Age Considerations When Choosing Family Attorneys

While reciprocal LPAs between parents and children are perfectly legal, you should think carefully about whether each person is a practical long-term choice as attorney. An LPA can last for decades, and the person you name needs to be willing and able to act when the time comes.

Here is where age becomes relevant. Consider the following comparison to see how the practical considerations differ depending on life stage.

The key takeaway is straightforward: a parent is often a perfectly good choice as attorney for a younger adult, but you should always name a replacement attorney who is younger and likely to be available long-term. A sibling, a partner, or a trusted friend fills this role well.

For help deciding who to appoint, see our guide on how to choose the right attorney.

When to Choose Someone Outside the Parent-Child Relationship

Family attorneys work well in most cases, but there are situations where looking beyond the immediate parent-child relationship makes sense:

• Strained relationships — if you and your parent or child do not see eye to eye on financial matters or medical preferences, forcing the arrangement can lead to conflict
• Geographic distance — if your child lives abroad or your parent is in another part of the country, managing day-to-day decisions can be impractical
• Complex finances — a business owner or someone with significant investments may benefit from naming a professional attorney alongside a family member
• Only child with no siblings — if an only child names a parent as sole attorney with no replacement, and that parent later loses capacity themselves, there is no one left to act
• Family dynamics — where there are tensions between siblings, between a parent’s partner and their children, or in blended families, a neutral third party can reduce the risk of disputes

In these situations, you might name a trusted friend, a sibling, or even a professional attorney alongside or instead of a family member. What matters most is choosing someone you trust to act in your best interests.

How to Start the LPA Conversation in Your Family

Bringing up LPAs can feel awkward — whether you are a child approaching ageing parents or a parent suggesting your adult child should plan ahead. The conversation often stalls because people associate LPAs with decline, death, or losing independence. In reality, an LPA is about keeping control, not giving it away.

For more detailed advice on navigating this conversation, see our guide on how to have the LPA conversation with your family.

The Cost of Creating Multiple Family LPAs

The OPG registration fee is £92 per LPA. There is no family discount on the government fee — each LPA is charged individually. Here is what a typical family might pay in registration fees alone:

The real savings come from professional or service fees. A solicitor might charge £300–£1,000 per LPA, which adds up fast for a family creating six or eight LPAs. Online services typically charge far less and often offer discounts when multiple people create their LPAs at the same time. For a full breakdown, see our guide on how much an LPA costs.

Worth knowing: if any family member receives means-tested benefits or earns less than £12,000 per year, they may qualify for a fee exemption or 50% reduction on their registration fees. Eligibility is assessed per person, so a parent on pension credit might pay nothing while their working-age children pay the full £92.

Different Life Stages, Different LPA Needs

The right LPA setup depends on where each family member is in life. Here are some common scenarios and how the arrangements might look:

Young adult (18–30) with parents in their 50s–60s

The young adult names a parent as their primary attorney, with a sibling or close friend as replacement. The parents name their children as attorneys, with each other as backup or joint attorneys. Everyone is covered, and the arrangements should remain practical for decades.

Middle-aged adult (40s–50s) with elderly parents

The parents name their adult child as attorney, with a grandchild or sibling as replacement. The adult child names their spouse as primary attorney, with a parent or sibling as replacement. The parent is less likely to serve as attorney long-term, so naming them as replacement rather than primary makes more practical sense.

Only child with ageing parents

The parents name their only child as attorney. The child names a parent plus a trusted friend or their partner jointly or as replacement. With no siblings to share the responsibility, building in a non-family attorney provides extra resilience.

Practical Tips for Creating Family LPAs

• Create all LPAs at the same time — this avoids the common problem where one family member sorts theirs out and everyone else puts it off indefinitely
• Use the same certificate provider where possible — a family friend, neighbour, or GP who knows all of you can serve as certificate provider for multiple LPAs, simplifying the process
• Discuss preferences openly — creating LPAs is an opportunity to talk about what matters to each person, from end-of-life care to financial priorities
• Register everything promptly — an unregistered LPA cannot be used, and registration currently takes 8–10 weeks through the OPG
• Review every few years — family circumstances change. A parent who was a great choice as attorney at 60 may not be the right choice at 85. Build in regular reviews.

Common Questions About Parents and Children Having LPAs for Each Other

This guide was last reviewed and updated on 11 April 2026. Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.

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