DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does a lasting power of attorney cost in the UK?
A lasting power of attorney lets someone you trust act for you if you cannot manage your own affairs, and the cost depends heavily on whether you do it yourself or use a solicitor. There are two separate types, and each has its own registration fee paid to the government. The real prices below show what people paid across both routes. This is general information, not legal advice.
The quick version
- There are two separate LPAs, one for health and welfare and one for property and financial affairs, and each has its own registration fee.
- The registration fee is paid to the Office of the Public Guardian, and it is separate from anything a solicitor charges to help you.
- You can apply yourself through the government service and pay only the registration fee, or pay a solicitor to draft and check it.
- A reduced fee or full exemption is available from the OPG if you are on a low income or certain benefits.
- Many people set up an LPA at the same time as a will, and some firms offer a combined price.
What people actually paid
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 52% more than the advertised list price for power of attorney.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases and from a small sample so far. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £1,000“shes paid 1000 pounds to a solicitor to sort this out”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The biggest difference is whether you apply yourself or pay a solicitor. Doing it through the official service means you only cover the OPG registration fee, while a solicitor adds their charge for drafting and checking the forms. How many documents you set up matters too, because a couple doing both the property and welfare types are registering four LPAs between them, not one. A solicitor acting as your certificate provider, or advising on trickier arrangements like business affairs, pushes the fee up. The registration fee itself is fixed by the OPG, but the exemptions and reductions for low income mean the government part of the bill is not the same for everyone.
How to pay less
- Apply through the official government service yourself if your situation is straightforward, so you only pay the OPG registration fee.
- Check whether you qualify for a reduced or waived registration fee based on your income or benefits.
- If you want a solicitor, ask for a fixed fee and whether setting up both LPA types together is cheaper than one at a time.
- Set up your LPA alongside your will if you are planning ahead, as a bundled price can work out lower.
- For a couple, ask about a package covering all the LPAs rather than pricing each person separately.
Common questions
Can I set up a power of attorney without a solicitor?
Yes. The government service lets you fill in and register an LPA yourself, and you only pay the registration fee to the Office of the Public Guardian. A solicitor adds cost but can be worth it if your finances are complex or you simply want reassurance it is done correctly. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
What is the OPG fee and is it separate from solicitor fees?
The Office of the Public Guardian charges a registration fee for each LPA, and that is a fixed government charge. It is separate from any fee a solicitor charges to prepare the document, so if you use a solicitor you are paying both. People on low incomes or certain benefits can apply to have the OPG fee reduced or waived.
Do I need both types of LPA?
They cover different things. One deals with your property and financial affairs, the other with health and welfare decisions if you cannot make them yourself. Many people set up both so everything is covered, but you can do just one. Each is registered and charged separately, so two costs more than one.