How Much Does a Power of Attorney Cost?

Last updated: 31 May 2026Checked against primary legislation on legislation.gov.uk

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney is one of the most important things you can do to protect your future, and it's cheaper than most people expect. Making the LPA itself is free; you only pay to register it, and help is available if you're on a low income. Here's the full breakdown.

Key points

✓England & Wales: £92 to register each LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian
✓Both LPAs (health & welfare plus property & financial) cost £184 in total
✓Making the LPA is free, the fee is only for registration
✓50% reduction (£46) if the donor's gross income is under £12,000
✓Free if the donor gets certain means-tested benefits (unless an award over £16,000)

Get instant help right now

A Citizens Advice appointment can take weeks. Our free assistant is available 24/7 with no appointment, giving you clear, step-by-step answers about your exact situation, what to do next, and the deadlines that matter.

Instant answers24/7, No appointmentFree to usePrivate, No sign-up

Chat with Advisor, it's free

Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.

The registration fee (England & Wales)

What you register	OPG fee (2026)
One LPA (health & welfare, OR property & financial)	£92
Both LPAs	£184

The fee rose from £82 to £92 on 17 November 2025. Always check the current fee on GOV.UK before you send payment, as it's reviewed from time to time.

If you appoint attorneys for a couple, for example you and your partner each making both LPAs, that's four separate registrations, so four fees.

Fee reductions and exemptions

You may not have to pay the full fee. The Office of the Public Guardian offers help based on the donor's income and benefits:

✓50% reduction (£46 per LPA) if the donor's gross annual income is under £12,000
✓Full exemption (free) if the donor receives certain means-tested benefits, for example Guarantee Pension Credit, income-based ESA or JSA, Income Support, or Housing Benefit
✓You'll usually need to send evidence of income or benefits with your application

The exemption doesn't apply if the donor is receiving a personal-injury or damages award of over £16,000. The OPG updated how you apply for remissions and exemptions in early 2026, so check the current GOV.UK guidance for the exact evidence and process before you apply.

Doing it yourself vs using a solicitor

The £92 fee is the only compulsory cost. Beyond that:

✓Do it yourself: free to prepare online or on paper, you only pay the £92 registration fee per LPA
✓Use a solicitor: typically a few hundred pounds per LPA on top of the fee, but can be worth it for complex affairs, business interests, or family situations where disputes are likely
✓Online will/LPA services: sit between the two, a guided service for a fixed fee, cheaper than most solicitors

For most straightforward situations you can complete an LPA yourself and pay only the OPG fee. Read our step-by-step guide to setting up a power of attorney.

Costs in Scotland and Northern Ireland

✓Scotland: a registration fee is paid to the Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland) for each power of attorney, check the current figure on the OPG Scotland website, and fee exemptions may apply on a low income
✓Northern Ireland: an Enduring Power of Attorney is registered with the Office of Care and Protection when capacity begins to fail, check current registration costs with the NI Courts and Tribunals Service

Whatever the fee, the cost of not having a power of attorney is usually far higher, a court application after capacity is lost is more expensive and takes months.

Get instant help right now

Instant answers24/7, No appointmentFree to usePrivate, No sign-up

Chat with Advisor, it's free

Need to take action? It can draft a ready-to-send formal letter for you (optional, from £4.99).
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a power of attorney cost in 2026?

In England and Wales it costs £92 to register each Lasting Power of Attorney with the Office of the Public Guardian, so £184 if you register both the health and welfare LPA and the property and financial affairs LPA. The fee rose from £82 to £92 on 17 November 2025. Making the LPA is free, the fee is only for registration.

Can I get a power of attorney for free?

You may pay nothing if the donor receives certain means-tested benefits such as Guarantee Pension Credit, income-based ESA or JSA, Income Support or Housing Benefit (unless they have a personal-injury award over £16,000). If the donor's gross income is under £12,000 you can get a 50% reduction, paying £46 per LPA. You'll need to send evidence with the application.

Is it cheaper to do a power of attorney myself?

Yes. If you prepare the LPA yourself, online or on paper, the only compulsory cost is the £92 registration fee per LPA. A solicitor typically charges a few hundred pounds per LPA on top, which can be worth it for complex situations but isn't required for a straightforward LPA.

Do I pay one fee or two for both types of LPA?

Each LPA is registered separately and has its own £92 fee, so registering both a health and welfare LPA and a property and financial affairs LPA costs £184 in total. For a couple each making both, that's four separate fees.

Related guides

Found this useful? Link to it

If you run a site, write an article, or help others with their rights, please link to this guide, it helps more people find free, reliable guidance.

https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/power-of-attorney/cost

Know Your Rights UK. "How Much Does a Power of Attorney Cost?." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/power-of-attorney/cost