Can You Update an LPA After It Is Registered?

Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed 16 March 2026

Life changes. Relationships evolve, people move, and the attorneys you chose five years ago may no longer be the right people for the job. So can you simply update your Lasting Power of Attorney after it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian? The short answer is no. Once an LPA has been registered, it cannot be amended or modified. If you need to make changes, you will generally need to revoke the existing LPA and create a new one. However, there are some limited exceptions and alternative options worth understanding.

Why a Registered LPA Cannot Be Changed

An LPA is a formal legal document. Once it is signed, witnessed, and registered with the OPG, it becomes a fixed record. The registration process itself is designed to confirm that the document was properly completed and that all parties (the donor, attorneys, and certificate provider) have agreed to its terms.

Allowing changes to a registered document would undermine the safeguards built into the system. It could open the door to fraud or undue influence — for example, an attorney persuading a vulnerable donor to alter the terms in their favour. For these reasons, the law treats a registered LPA as a sealed document that cannot be altered.

This applies to all aspects of the LPA, including:

• The choice of attorneys
• Whether attorneys act jointly or jointly and severally
• Any preferences or instructions included in the LPA
• The choice of replacement attorneys
• The type of LPA (Property & Financial Affairs or Health & Welfare)

What Minor Corrections Can the OPG Make?

While substantive changes are not possible, the OPG may be able to make minor administrative corrections to a registered LPA. These are limited to correcting factual errors that do not change the substance of the document, such as:

• Correcting a misspelled name
• Updating an address (though this does not affect the validity of the LPA)
• Correcting clerical errors made during the registration process

These corrections are made at the OPG's discretion and do not change the legal effect of the LPA. If you need to update an address or notify the OPG of a change of circumstances, you can contact them directly. However, this is not the same as amending the LPA itself.

Revoking and Creating a New LPA

If you need to make substantive changes to your LPA, the correct process is to:

• Revoke the existing LPA by completing a deed of revocation, which must be signed and witnessed. See our guide on how to revoke an LPA for the full process
• Notify the OPG so they can update their records and remove the old LPA from the register
• Notify your attorneys that the LPA has been revoked and they are no longer authorised to act
• Notify any third parties (such as banks) who hold a copy of the old LPA
• Create and register a new LPA with the updated terms, attorneys, or instructions

The new LPA will need to go through the full creation and registration process again, including having a certificate provider confirm that you understand the LPA and are not being pressured into making it. The registration fee of £92 per LPA applies to each new registration. For more details, see our guide on cancelling or changing an LPA.

Can the Court of Protection Remove an Attorney Without Revoking the LPA?

In some circumstances, the Court of Protection can remove (or "sever") an individual attorney from a registered LPA without the need to revoke the entire document. This might happen if:

• An attorney has behaved in a way that is not in the donor's best interests
• An attorney has breached their duties
• An attorney is no longer suitable to act (for example, due to a conflict of interest or bankruptcy)
• There is a dispute between attorneys that cannot be resolved

The court can also direct that an attorney be replaced, or that the LPA be revoked entirely. In practice, court proceedings are expensive and time-consuming, so this route is generally only appropriate when there is a serious problem that cannot be resolved any other way. Our guide on how to change attorneys covers the options in more detail.

What If the Donor Has Lost Capacity?

This is where timing becomes critical: the donor can only revoke an LPA while they still have mental capacity. If the donor has already lost the ability to make decisions for themselves, they cannot revoke the LPA or create a new one. In this situation:

• The existing LPA remains in force as originally registered
• If there are concerns about an attorney's conduct, anyone can raise the matter with the OPG or apply to the Court of Protection
• The Court of Protection has the power to revoke an LPA, remove an attorney, or appoint a deputy if necessary

Common Reasons People Want to Update Their LPA

The most frequent reasons donors seek to change a registered LPA include:

• Divorce or separation — a former spouse may no longer be an appropriate choice of attorney
• Death of an attorney — if no replacement attorneys were named, the donor may need a new LPA
• Family disputes — a breakdown in the relationship between the donor and an attorney
• Change of preference — the donor may want to add instructions, change how attorneys work together, or appoint additional people
• Moving abroad — an attorney who relocates overseas may no longer be practical

In all of these cases, the solution is the same: revoke the old LPA and create a new one that reflects your current wishes. The process is straightforward and the cost is modest compared to the peace of mind it provides.

Updating a Registered LPA: Answers to Key Questions

This guide was last reviewed and updated on 16 March 2026. Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.

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