Do I need a solicitor for an LPA?

Guidance from Estate Advisory Group

Legally, no. An LPA is a statutory form, not a contract that needs drafting. But there are circumstances where paying a solicitor is the right call.

What a solicitor adds

  • Advice on your specific circumstances, which we cannot give.
  • A judgement on capacity where it is borderline, and a file note recording it.
  • Regulated status: SRA rules, professional indemnity insurance and a complaints route to the Legal Ombudsman.
  • Drafting of unusual instructions, trust interactions or business provisions.

When you should use one

See a solicitor if

capacity is already doubtful or contested; a family member is likely to object; you run a business that must keep trading; assets are held in trust or overseas; or you want restrictions that go beyond standard wording.

When you probably do not

If you have clear capacity, straightforward UK finances, and you know who you trust, the work is form completion and error checking. That is what our £49 service is: a guided questionnaire, eligibility checks on your attorneys and certificate provider, a consistency check across the whole document, and a personalised signing pack.

We are not solicitors and we do not give legal advice — see what we do and do not do.

Common questions

Will banks treat a solicitor-made LPA differently?

No. Banks look for a registered LPA and correct certified copies. They do not ask who prepared it.

Can a solicitor be my attorney?

Yes, and some people appoint one for finances. They will charge for acting, usually at an hourly rate, paid from your funds.

Read next

Ready to make yours?

Answer five quick questions to see whether our service suits you. No account and no payment needed.

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