Can I write my own LPA?
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Written and legally reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner·Last reviewed 13 August 2026
You cannot draft your own document, but you can complete the official forms yourself. The question is how confident you are about the details.
The forms are prescribed
An LPA must use the statutory LP1F or LP1H form. A home-made document is not an LPA. What varies is who helps you complete it. See the LPA forms explained.
The three routes
| Route | Cost per LPA | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK yourself | £92 | Wording and signing errors, rejection, re-submission |
| Us | £49 + £92 | Questions in plain English, checked for common completion errors |
| Solicitor | £300–£600 + £92 | Lowest, and appropriate for complex estates |
Where people go wrong alone
- Signing out of order — the single most common rejection reason.
- An attorney witnessing the donor's signature.
- Instructions the OPG will not accept.
- Missing continuation sheets.
- Names not matching official identity documents.
See common LPA mistakes.
Common questions
Is a DIY LPA less legally valid?
No. A correctly completed and registered LPA is equally valid however it was prepared.
When should I use a solicitor?
Complex assets, business interests, a family dispute, or borderline capacity. See solicitor, GOV.UK or online.
Read next
Where this fits
This page is part of LPA basics. The pages below take it further.
- Make an LPA online
The whole journey end to end: questions, documents, signing and registration.
- Solicitor, GOV.UK or online?
An honest comparison, including when you genuinely should pay a solicitor.
Review and sources
Reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner. Last reviewed 13 August 2026. We recheck fees, forms and Office of the Public Guardian guidance whenever they change — see our editorial policy.
Official sources
Ready to make your LPA?
Answer five quick questions to check the service suits you, then start online for £49 per LPA.
The Office of the Public Guardian charges a separate £92 to register each LPA.
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