LPAs and advance care planning
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Written and legally reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner·Last reviewed 13 August 2026
Four different documents, one set of decisions. The order they take effect in matters.
The four documents
| Document | What it does | Binding? |
|---|---|---|
| Health & Welfare LPA | Appoints someone to decide for you | Yes, within its terms |
| Advance decision (living will) | Refuses specific treatment in advance | Yes, if valid and applicable |
| Advance statement | Records wishes and preferences | No — must be considered |
| DNACPR / ReSPECT | Clinical record of resuscitation decisions | Clinical, not legal |
Which one wins
Broadly, the later document about the same treatment prevails. An advance decision made after the LPA overrides the attorney on that specific treatment; an LPA made later that expressly covers life-sustaining treatment can override an earlier advance decision. See advance decision vs LPA.
Keeping them consistent
- Date everything and keep the documents together.
- Tell your attorney what your advance decision says.
- Give your GP copies of both.
- Review after any major diagnosis.
Common questions
Do I need an advance decision if I have a Health & Welfare LPA?
Not necessarily. An LPA with the life-sustaining treatment option is more flexible; an advance decision is more specific. Some people use both, carefully dated.
Can my attorney overrule a DNACPR?
A DNACPR is a clinical decision recorded by doctors. An attorney with authority over life-sustaining treatment must be consulted, and can challenge it, but cannot demand treatment clinicians consider inappropriate.
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