How many attorneys should I appoint?
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
There is no legal maximum, but the practical answer for most people is two, with a replacement behind them.
The trade-off
| Number | Upside | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| One | Simplest and fastest for banks | No cover if they are ill, abroad or die |
| Two | Mutual oversight, practical cover | Needs a clear decision rule |
| Three or more | Wide family involvement | Slower, more disagreement, harder paperwork |
What to think about
- Proximity — someone who can get to the bank, the house or the hospital.
- Competence — for finances, the person who is good with money, not the eldest by default.
- Relationships — appointing all four children equally often creates deadlock, not fairness.
- Age and health — a spouse alone is fragile cover; add a replacement.
You can split the roles
Your financial LPA and your health and welfare LPA are separate documents, so you can appoint different people to each — the financially confident child for money, the nearby one for care. See the difference between the two types.
Common questions
Is there a maximum number of attorneys?
No legal limit, but the form has space for four and beyond that the practicalities get difficult. Extra attorneys need continuation sheets.
Can attorneys be appointed for different tasks?
Yes — 'jointly for some decisions, jointly and severally for others' is allowed, but the wording must be precise or the OPG will query it.
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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