The Ministry of Justice has announced a 12% increase to the registration fees for Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). From 17 November 2025, the fee for an LPA application will increase from £82 to £92.
The increase in fees will help to cover the cost of delivering the services provided by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). The new fees also closely reflect the costs involved in processing the application.
| Lasting Powers of Attorney
An LPA is a legal document which allows individuals to appoint trusted representatives to manage their affairs should they lose the capacity to do so.
There are two types of LPAs:
• Health and Welfare – This covers decisions about medical treatment and care; and
• Property and Financial affairs – This allows attorneys to manage your money and assets.
| What does the LPA registration fee cover?
To be able to use an LPA, it must be registered with the OPG. While you don’t have to register your LPA, they can take 2-3 months to register, so we advise our clients to register their LPAs straight away, to avoid delays should they be needed later.
The application fee covers the OPG reviewing the LPA to ensure everything has been signed and witnessed correctly, and that there is a certificate provider that can attest to the fact the donor knew what they were doing and had capacity to appoint attorneys. If there are issues with any of the formalities, the OPG will come back to you. It is much more straightforward to deal with any issues when the donor has capacity and when they aren’t needed urgently.
Once the OPG is satisfied that the LPA is valid, it will register the LPA, meaning that it is ready for such time as you might require it.
| Do I have to pay the LPA registration fee?
The application fee is per LPA, so if you are making both types, you will need to pay £82 (or soon, £92) per LPA.
Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be exempt from paying the fee, or entitled to a remission where you only have to pay half the fee. Your solicitor will be able to advice you on this.
| So, what does this mean for you?
It’s important to factor the increased fees into your plans when considering setting up an LPA. Whilst the cost may seem significant, it’s important to consider the benefits of having an LPA in place.
LPAs are important as they provide peace of mind, knowing that your affairs will be managed by someone you trust if you lose capacity to make decisions yourself. Without an LPA, family members won’t have any legal authority to make decisions for you, including your spouse.
If you are considering setting up an LPA or have any queries about the fees or costs involved, please contact our team on 0800 988 7756 or book an appointment online.
