Can I make an LPA myself?
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor, and thousands of valid LPAs are made every week by ordinary people. The risk is not legal — it is completion errors.
What doing it yourself involves
- Getting the right official form and every section completed consistently.
- Finding a certificate provider who is not disqualified.
- Getting the signing order and witnesses right.
- Posting the application with the correct fee or evidence for a reduction.
Where DIY LPAs come unstuck
- A relative used as certificate provider — the single most common invalidating error.
- An attorney witnessing the donor's signature, which is not allowed.
- Instructions the OPG will not accept because they are unclear or unlawful.
- A missing date, page or continuation sheet.
None of these are exotic legal problems. They are form errors — and they cost you the £92 fee and several weeks each time.
The three routes
| Route | You pay | You get |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK yourself | £92 per LPA | Free official tool, no checking of your choices |
| LPAs Online | £49 (or £79 for both) + £92 per LPA | Guided questions, eligibility and consistency checks, signing pack |
| Solicitor | Commonly £300–£1,000+ per LPA + £92 | Advice on your circumstances and regulated protection |
See the full breakdown in LPA costs and solicitor versus online.
Common questions
Is a DIY LPA as legally valid as a solicitor's?
Yes. Once registered by the OPG, an LPA is an LPA. Validity depends on the document being correctly completed and signed, not on who typed it.
When should I not do it myself?
If capacity is already in doubt, there is family conflict, a business needs to keep trading, or your affairs involve trusts or overseas assets, take regulated advice.
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This is general information about how Lasting Powers of Attorney work in England and Wales. It is not legal advice about your situation. What we do and do not do.
Published by Estate Advisory Group