How to talk to your attorneys before you appoint them
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Written and legally reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner·Last reviewed 13 August 2026
Nobody can be compelled to act. A five-minute conversation now avoids a disclaimer form later.
What to tell them
- Which LPA you are appointing them to, and alongside whom.
- That the LPA only bites if you cannot decide for yourself, unless it is financial and you say otherwise.
- The practical workload: banks, bills, forms, meetings, record keeping.
- That they must act in your best interests, not their own — see attorney duties.
- Where the document will be kept.
Questions they will ask
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Am I liable for their debts? | No — you manage the donor's money, you do not guarantee it |
| Do I get paid? | Reasonable expenses only, unless the LPA authorises payment |
| Can I stop later? | Yes, by signing a disclaimer form |
| What if I get it wrong? | Keep records and act in good faith; the OPG can advise |
Recording your wishes for them
Use preferences and instructions sparingly for anything genuinely important, and write a plain letter of wishes for the rest. Instructions are binding and can cause rejection if badly worded; a letter cannot.
Common questions
Do attorneys need to sign anything?
Yes. Each attorney signs the LPA after you and the certificate provider have signed, with a witness present.
Can someone refuse after signing?
Yes, at any time, using the OPG disclaimer form.
Read next
Where this fits
This page is part of Attorneys and certificate providers. The pages below take it further.
- Make an LPA online
The whole journey end to end: questions, documents, signing and registration.
- The LPA forms explained
LP1F, LP1H and LP3 — what each section asks and where people go wrong.
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
Making your own LPA?
Name your attorneys, set how they must decide together, and we prepare the forms for £49.
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