Understanding LPA Costs in the UK: What Are You Really Paying For?

Are you considering Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the varying costs? Perhaps you've come across very cheap online options and are wondering, "What's the catch?" or "What am I truly getting for my money?" You're not alone. Many people find the world of LPA costs confusing.

In this guide, we'll break down the elements that influence LPA costs, helping you understand what to look for, what you're paying for, and how to ensure you get genuine value and peace of mind – not just pieces of paper.

What Really Goes Into an LPA? (More Than Just a Form)

When you decide to put Lasting Powers of Attorney in place, you'll discover there are various routes you can take. These include using DIY kits, opting for online services, engaging traditional solicitors, or working with specialist firms like Westwood Estate Planning.

While the process might seem straightforward on the surface, LPAs are incredibly vital legal documents. They grant someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose the capacity to do so yourself. The true, often "hidden," value in professional guidance lies in ensuring these documents are set up correctly and genuinely reflect your wishes.

So, what factors should influence the cost you pay? It's primarily about:

•             The level of personal advice: How much time does the provider spend understanding your unique family situation, assets, and specific concerns?

•             The depth of consultation: Is there a thorough discussion about who your attorneys should be, what their roles entail, and how they should act?

•             Avoiding future problems: A professional service aims to foresee and prevent common pitfalls that can arise from incorrectly drafted or executed LPAs, which can cause significant distress and expense for your loved ones later on. This includes properly assessing mental capacity and ensuring your chosen attorneys fully understand their responsibilities.

Getting these crucial details wrong can have profound and lasting negative consequences for you and your family. Many clients share with us the immense relief they feel knowing their LPAs are robust and tailored, avoiding the stress and potential financial burden that can come from errors.

How Westwood Estate Planning Delivers Value & Clarity on Costs

At Westwood Estate Planning, we believe in complete transparency when it comes to our services and fees. For Lasting Powers of Attorney, we operate on a clear, fixed-fee basis, so you know exactly where you stand from the outset, with no hidden surprises.

Our fixed fee for LPAs includes:

•             An initial, in-depth consultation: We take the time to fully understand your specific needs, circumstances, and wishes.

•             Expert guidance: We provide professional advice on choosing suitable attorneys, discussing their roles, and outlining the scope of their authority.

•             Professional drafting of your LPA documents: Your documents are meticulously prepared to ensure they are legally sound and accurately reflect your intentions.

•             Full support for the signing and witnessing process: We guide you and your attorneys through the precise legal requirements for signing and witnessing, ensuring everything is done correctly.

•             Ongoing support for your attorneys: Uniquely, your chosen attorneys can book a call directly with Gary if they have questions about their role, even after the LPAs are made. We want them to feel confident and supported in their important responsibilities.

Our core focus is to make what can be a complex legal process as simple, stress-free, and reassuring as possible for you and your loved ones.

Understanding Government Registration Fees for LPAs

Beyond the professional fees for drafting your LPAs, there's an essential government fee you need to be aware of. This is the fee for registering your LPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), which is necessary to make them legally usable.

As of June 2025, the standard government registration fee is £82 per LPA document. This means if you are putting in place both a Health and Welfare LPA and a Property and Financial Affairs LPA, you would pay two registration fees.

It's also important to know that fee remissions or exemptions might be available if you are on certain benefits or have a low income. As part of our service, we can help you understand if you might qualify for a reduction or exemption from this government fee.

Why "Cheapest" Isn't Always "Best" (For Your Future)

It's completely understandable to be tempted by the cheapest option when arranging your LPAs. However, Lasting Powers of Attorney are some of the most powerful and critical legal documents you can create. They are fundamentally about protecting your future, your assets, and your loved ones.

The real value in securing your LPAs isn't just about filling out a form; it's about the profound peace of mind that comes from knowing they are done correctly by an expert who truly understands your needs and the intricacies of the law. The potential future costs – both financial and emotional – of flawed or incorrectly executed LPAs can far outweigh any initial savings you might make.

For example, common pitfalls with DIY or very cheap online LPAs include:

•             Incorrectly appointing attorneys: Such as appointing them "jointly" when "jointly and severally" was intended, which can paralyse decision-making if one attorney becomes unavailable.

•             Errors in wording: Seemingly minor mistakes in instructions or preferences can render the document invalid or lead to unintended consequences.

•             Procedural "trip-ups": Issues with printing, ensuring all attorneys sign in the correct order, or having the Certificate Provider sign at the wrong stage are common reasons LPAs are rejected by the OPG.

These errors can lead to significant delays, additional legal fees to rectify, or even the need for a costly and stressful deputyship application through the Court of Protection if you lose capacity before the LPA is valid. Acting sooner, with professional guidance, ensures these vital protections are in place when you need them most.

Our aim at Westwood Estate Planning is to provide that assurance, guiding you through every step to ensure your LPAs are robust, legally sound, and provide the protection you intend.

Ready for Clarity and Peace of Mind?

If you're ready for clarity on your LPA needs and want to understand how Westwood Estate Planning can help you put these crucial protections in place with confidence, I invite you to book a completely free, no-obligation 15-minute chat with me.

This chat is an opportunity for us to discuss your specific situation, answer your questions, and clarify how our process works – ensuring you feel fully informed and comfortable with your choices. There's no hard sell, just a helpful conversation to help you gain peace of mind.

Click the link below to schedule your chat:

https://calendly.com/westwoodep/chat.

I hope to speak to you soon.