Why Younger People Are Now Getting LPAs
LPAs aren’t just for the elderly — a growing number of adults under 40 are protecting themselves early.
Written by Anthony Dalton · Reviewed by James Tyrrell · Last reviewed
LPA registrations among younger adults have increased significantly in recent years, driven by growing awareness, earlier property ownership, and lessons from the pandemic. What was once seen as something only older people needed is now being taken up by people in their twenties, thirties, and forties — and for good reason. A Lasting Power of Attorney is one of the simplest legal protections you can put in place, yet most people under 50 still don’t have one.
At a glance
- OPG data shows LPA registrations have risen steadily, with over 900,000 LPAs registered in a single year — and a growing proportion are from adults under 50
- COVID-19 was a turning point, prompting younger adults to think about what would happen if they became seriously ill
- Digital assets, online businesses, and cryptocurrency mean younger people have more to protect than previous generations did at the same age
- Without an LPA, your family must apply to the Court of Protection — a process that costs more, takes longer, and gives you no say in who makes decisions
- This guide applies to LPAs made under the law of England and Wales
The Trend in Numbers: More LPAs Than Ever
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has recorded year-on-year increases in LPA registrations across England and Wales. While the majority of LPAs are still created by people over 60, the fastest-growing segment is adults between 25 and 50.
This shift is not happening by accident. A combination of factors — better public awareness, media coverage, the pandemic, and changes in how younger people manage money — has made this generation more proactive about legal planning than any before it.
The numbers tell a clear story: LPAs are no longer something you create when you retire. They are increasingly seen as a standard part of adult life, alongside writing a will or taking out life insurance.
What's Driving Younger LPA Uptake
Several factors have come together to push LPAs onto the radar of younger adults. None of them on their own would have been enough, but combined, they have created a genuine shift in attitude.
The COVID-19 pandemic
The pandemic forced people of all ages to confront the possibility of sudden, serious illness. Younger adults who had never considered what would happen if they ended up on a ventilator suddenly had a reason to think about it. Hospitals reported cases where partners and family members had no legal authority to make decisions for patients who lacked capacity — and that reality hit home.
Searches for “power of attorney” spiked during the pandemic, and many of those searches came from people in their thirties and forties. The effect has lasted well beyond lockdowns. COVID did not just cause short-term panic — it permanently changed how a generation thinks about health and planning.
The Martin Lewis effect and social media
Consumer champions like Martin Lewis have repeatedly highlighted LPAs as something everyone should have, not just the elderly. When Martin Lewis talks, millions listen — and his audience skews younger than traditional financial media. Social media has amplified the message further, with personal stories about the consequences of not having an LPA reaching audiences that government campaigns never could.
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube creators have started covering LPAs in accessible, jargon-free formats. A 30-second video explaining that your partner cannot access your bank account if you lose capacity has more impact on a 28-year-old than any government leaflet.
Earlier property ownership and financial commitments
Despite the challenges of the housing market, many younger adults are buying property with partners, taking on significant mortgages, and building investment portfolios earlier than previous generations. When you own a property jointly with someone, the question of what happens if one of you loses mental capacity becomes very real, very quickly.
Consider Sarah and James, both 34, who bought a flat together in Bristol. If James had a serious cycling accident and lost capacity, Sarah would not automatically be able to manage his share of the mortgage, access his bank accounts, or deal with his finances. Without an LPA, she would need to apply to the Court of Protection — a process that could take months and cost thousands of pounds.
Digital Assets and Modern Finances
One area where younger adults face risks that older generations simply did not is digital assets. If you are 30, your financial life probably looks very different from your parents’ at the same age. You might have:
- Cryptocurrency holdings across multiple wallets and exchanges
- An online business or freelance income with clients managed through digital platforms
- Investment accounts on apps like Vanguard, Trading 212, or Freetrade
- Pension pots with several previous employers, all managed online
- Subscription services, domain names, and digital products that generate income
If you lose mental capacity without an LPA in place, nobody can access or manage any of these assets on your behalf without a court order. Cryptocurrency is particularly problematic — without someone authorised to act, holdings can become permanently inaccessible.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA gives your chosen attorney the legal authority to step in and manage all of this. It is one of the most practical protections any digitally active adult can have.
The "It Won't Happen to Me" Problem
The biggest barrier to younger people creating LPAs is not cost or complexity — it is the belief that they do not need one yet. The thinking is understandable: you are fit, healthy, and decades away from the age when most people lose capacity. Why worry about it now?
The problem with this logic is that loss of mental capacity is not just an age-related issue. Road accidents, strokes, brain injuries, and conditions like early-onset dementia can affect anyone at any age. According to Headway, the brain injury charity, over 350,000 people are admitted to hospital with acquired brain injuries each year in the UK — and a significant number are under 40.
Take the case of Daniel, a 29-year-old software developer from Manchester. He suffered a stroke during a gym session and spent three months unable to communicate or manage his affairs. His partner, Emma, could not pay his share of the rent, access his savings, or deal with his employer. She had to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order — which cost over £1,500 and took four months to come through. If Daniel had set up an LPA, Emma could have stepped in immediately.
Key point: The best time to create an LPA is while you are healthy and have full mental capacity. If you wait until you need one, it is already too late — you cannot create an LPA once you have lost capacity.
What Young People Should Consider When Creating an LPA
If you are under 40 and thinking about setting up an LPA, the process is exactly the same as for anyone else — but there are a few things worth considering that are particularly relevant to younger adults.
Choosing the right attorney
Many younger adults instinctively choose a parent as their attorney. That can work well now, but think about the long term. Your parents may not have capacity themselves in 20 or 30 years’ time. Appointing a partner, sibling, or trusted friend as either a joint or replacement attorney ensures your LPA remains effective throughout your life. Our guide on when to create an LPA covers this timing question in detail.
Both types of LPA matter
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers your money, property, and bills. A Health and Welfare LPA covers medical treatment, care decisions, and where you live. If you are a young parent, the Health and Welfare LPA is particularly important — it ensures someone you trust can make medical decisions for you if you cannot make them yourself.
Keep it updated
Life changes quickly in your twenties and thirties. Relationships begin and end, you might move, have children, or change careers. If you create an LPA at 25 naming your partner as attorney and you separate at 30, you will want to update it. An LPA is not a one-off task — it is a living document that should reflect your current circumstances.
How Simple and Affordable It Is
One reason younger people have historically avoided LPAs is the assumption that they are expensive and complicated. In reality, the process is straightforward and the cost is modest. The registration fee charged by the Office of the Public Guardian is £92 per LPA document.
Compare that to the cost of a Court of Protection deputyship application if you do not have an LPA: the court fee alone is £371, plus ongoing supervision fees and potential solicitor costs that can run into thousands. The myth that your family can just sort things out without legal authority is one of the most expensive misconceptions in personal finance.
The process itself takes around 20 minutes to complete the forms online. You then need a certificate provider (someone who confirms you understand what you are doing) and the document is sent to the OPG for registration. Most people have their LPA registered within 8–10 weeks. Our guide to LPA costs breaks down exactly what you will pay.
Practical Steps to Get Started
If you are ready to create your LPA, here is a straightforward process to follow.
Decide who your attorneys will be
Think about who you trust most to manage your finances and make health decisions on your behalf. Consider a mix of family members and a partner, and always name at least one replacement attorney.
Choose which LPAs you need
Most people benefit from both a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA. If you own property, have savings, or have dependants, both are strongly recommended.
Complete the forms
You can fill in the LPA forms yourself using the OPG’s online tool, or use a service like UKLPA to guide you through the process and check everything is correct before submission.
Get your certificate provider
You need someone independent to confirm you understand the LPA and are not being pressured. This can be a friend, colleague, or professional — they just cannot be one of your chosen attorneys.
Register with the OPG
Submit your completed LPA to the Office of the Public Guardian. The registration fee is £92 per document. Once registered, your LPA is ready to use whenever it is needed. Check our pricing page for full details.
Key Takeaways
- LPAs are not just for older people — registrations among younger adults are rising steadily, and the trend shows no signs of slowing
- COVID-19 changed attitudes permanently — the pandemic made millions of younger adults realise that serious illness can strike at any age
- Digital assets need protection — cryptocurrency, online businesses, and app-based investments cannot be managed by anyone else without legal authority
- The cost is low, the alternative is high — an LPA costs £92 to register; a Court of Protection application starts at £371 and can run into thousands
- You cannot create an LPA once you need one — the only time to set one up is while you have full mental capacity
- It takes about 20 minutes — completing the forms is straightforward, and most LPAs are registered within 8–10 weeks
Common Questions About Younger People and LPAs
What age can you make an LPA?
You can create a Lasting Power of Attorney from the age of 18, as long as you have mental capacity. There is no minimum recommended age beyond that. Many people in their twenties and thirties are now setting up LPAs to protect themselves and their families early. Our guide on whether you need an LPA if you are healthy explains why waiting is a risk.
Why are younger people getting LPAs?
Younger adults are increasingly creating LPAs because of growing awareness through social media and figures like Martin Lewis, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on attitudes to health planning, earlier property ownership, and the need to protect digital assets such as online businesses, cryptocurrency, and investment platforms.
Is it worth getting an LPA if you are young and healthy?
Yes. Accidents, strokes, and sudden illnesses can affect anyone at any age. Without an LPA, your family would need to apply to the Court of Protection to manage your affairs, which costs significantly more and can take months. Creating an LPA while you are healthy is straightforward and costs just £92 per document to register.
Do younger people need both types of LPA?
It is recommended. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers your finances, bills, and assets. A Health and Welfare LPA covers medical decisions and care. Younger adults with mortgages, investments, or dependants benefit from having both types in place, so every area of their life is covered if something unexpected happens.
This guide was last reviewed and updated on . Information is based on current legislation and OPG guidance for England and Wales.
Official Guidance
Official resources from GOV.UK
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