Do I need a solicitor for an LPA?
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Written and legally reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner·Last reviewed 13 August 2026
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.
A worked example of each path
Harold, 71, is retired, in good health, owns his home outright with his wife and wants his two children as attorneys for both LPAs. His situation is exactly what the online route is built for: no dispute, no trust, no business. He completes both LP1F and LP1H through a guided service, is checked for common completion errors, and registers for £79 plus £184 in OPG fees. By contrast, Harold's neighbour Priya runs a family shop, has a sibling who has previously contested a relative's will, and wants her attorneys to have specific powers over the business. Priya sees a solicitor, who drafts tailored instructions and manages any capacity concerns, for a fee closer to £600 per document.
Cost against what you actually need
| Your situation | Sensible route |
|---|---|
| Clear capacity, simple UK finances, agreed attorneys | Online guided service |
| Family likely to object or has objected before | Solicitor |
| Business that must keep trading if you lose capacity | Solicitor |
| Assets in trust, or held overseas | Solicitor |
| Confident with forms, want a second check only | Online guided service |
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.
Can I start online and switch to a solicitor later?
Yes. Nothing is filed until you sign and post it, so you can stop at any point and take the same information to a solicitor instead.
Does a solicitor guarantee the LPA will be accepted?
No route guarantees acceptance, but a solicitor's professional oversight and file notes give useful evidence if capacity or undue influence is later questioned.
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?
Choose one LPA or both, 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