How to talk to a parent about 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
The hardest part is often the first conversation, not the paperwork.
Ways to start the conversation
- 'I've been sorting my own LPA and it made me think about yours.'
- 'If something happened, I'd want to do things the way you'd want — this lets you write that down.'
- Use a news story, a friend's experience or a hospital stay as a natural opening.
What to avoid
- Making it about money or inheritance
- Choosing attorneys for them — it must be their decision
- Pressuring them. LPAs signed under pressure can be challenged. See undue pressure and LPAs.
Questions they will ask
| Worry | Answer |
|---|---|
| 'Does it mean I lose control?' | No. A health LPA only works once they can't decide. A property LPA can be limited the same way. |
| 'Can I change my mind?' | Yes, while they have capacity they can cancel it. |
| 'Is it expensive?' | The OPG fee is £92 per LPA; preparation help is optional. |
For the full picture, see LPA for an elderly parent.
Common questions
Can I fill in the form for them?
You can help with the typing, but they must make every choice and sign it themselves.
What if they refuse?
Respect it and revisit later. Without capacity it becomes too late, so gentle persistence matters.
Read next
Where this fits
This page is part of Parents, couples and capacity. The pages below take it further.
- Make an LPA online
The whole journey end to end: questions, documents, signing and registration.
- What an LPA costs in 2026
Our £49 and £79 prices, the £92 OPG registration fee, and solicitor comparisons.
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
Helping a parent or partner?
They make the decisions and sign, you can do all the paperwork. Start with the free capacity check.
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