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How Much Does an LPA Cost in the UK? (2026 Complete Breakdown)

· 16 min

Note: The following scenario is fictional and used for illustration.

Margaret, 68, from Swansea, spent £1,200 with a solicitor to create both her LPAs in 2023. When her friend Patricia mentioned she'd created identical documents online for £240 total, Margaret was stunned.

She'd assumed solicitors were the only legitimate option.

A year later, Margaret's daughter Sarah discovered that over 6 million LPAs are now registered in the UK, with costs ranging from £82 (DIY through GOV.UK) to £2,000+ (complex solicitor arrangements). The price difference is staggering - but so is the confusion.

This guide provides a complete breakdown of all LPA costs in 2025, including the government registration fee increase in November, hidden fees that catch people off guard, and transparent comparison of DIY, online services, and solicitor options.

Table of Contents

What Is the Basic Cost of an LPA in the UK?

Every LPA in England and Wales has one mandatory cost: the Office of the Public Guardian registration fee.

Currently £82 per LPA, rising to £92 from 17 November 2025, this government fee applies whether you use a solicitor, online service, or the free DIY tool. Since most people need both types of LPA (property and financial affairs, plus health and welfare), that's £164 now, rising to £184.

But registration is only part of the cost. The total depends on how you create the documents.

Emma, 42, from London, used an online service. She paid £240 for document creation plus £164 in registration fees - £404 total.

David, 55, from Manchester, owns a business with complex shareholding. His solicitor charged £800 per LPA for bespoke drafting - £1,764 total including registration.

The Office of the Public Guardian processes approximately 19,000 LPA registrations monthly, showing the scale of demand.

Your core cost range:

  • Minimum (DIY): £164-£184 for dual LPAs
  • Online service: £362-£892 for dual LPAs
  • Solicitor: £764-£2,184+ for dual LPAs

The only mandatory LPA cost is the £82-£92 OPG registration fee. Everything else depends on how you create the document.

OPG Registration Fees: What You'll Pay the Government

The registration fee is set by law under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and covers the OPG's processing, validation, and registration costs.

From 17 November 2025, the fee increases from £82 to £92 per LPA. Applications received before this date pay £82. From 17 November onwards, it's £92.

The fee covers legal compliance review, witness and date checking, certificate provider validation, official register entry, and ongoing safeguarding checks. Processing takes 15-20 weeks with no expedited option.

For a single LPA, you'll pay £82-£92. For dual LPAs, £164-£184. Couples creating mirror LPAs pay £328-£368 for four documents.

Compare this to the alternative. Without an LPA, if you lose capacity, your family must apply to the Court of Protection for deputyship. The application fee is £408, plus annual supervision fees of £35-£320. Processing takes 6-12 months, during which your family cannot access your finances.

If you submit before 17 November 2025, you'll save £10 per document - £20 for dual LPAs.

The Complete Cost Breakdown: Three Ways to Create an LPA

You have three main routes, each with different costs, time commitments, and rejection risks:

Method Document Creation Registration Fee Total (Single) Total (Dual) Timeline
DIY (GOV.UK) £0 £82-£92 £82-£92 £164-£184 15-20 weeks + self-completion
Online Service £99-£354 £82-£92 £181-£446 £362-£892 15-20 weeks + 1-2 hours
Solicitor £300-£1,000+ £82-£92 £382-£1,092+ £764-£2,184+ 15-20 weeks + consultations

The free government tool costs nothing for creation but offers no professional review. Mistakes mean paying the registration fee twice.

Online services charge £99-£354 per LPA depending on support level. WUHLD charges £99.99 plus registration - £181.99-£191.99 total. Co-op Legal Services charges £120-£354 depending on whether you want digital-only or fully advised support.

Solicitor fees vary widely. Straightforward LPAs cost £300-£500. Complex situations involving business interests or overseas property run £750-£1,500+ per document.

According to OPG statistics, approximately 51,000 LPA applications were rejected in 2023/24 - roughly 3.7% of submissions. Every rejection costs another £82-£92 to resubmit.

Solicitor LPA Costs: What You're Really Paying For

Solicitor fees typically range from £300 for straightforward situations to £1,500+ for complex estates.

Simple LPAs (£300-£500) include single consultation, standard attorney language, and document review. Standard LPAs (£500-£750) add detailed attorney selection guidance and quality review. Complex LPAs (£750-£1,500+) involve multiple consultations, bespoke drafting, and coordination with other estate documents.

The premium buys face-to-face consultations (£150-£300 value), bespoke drafting for complex situations (£100-£400 value), legal advice on scenarios and attorney selection (£100-£250 value), and quality review with professional indemnity insurance (£50-£150 value).

When is this justified?

You own a business needing specific decision instructions. You have overseas property. You anticipate family disputes. You have capacity concerns requiring medical input. Previous LPA was rejected. Your estate exceeds £1 million with complex assets.

Geographic variation matters. London solicitors charge 30-50% more than regional firms. A £600 LPA in Manchester might cost £900 in Central London.

One West Sussex firm charges £350 for a single LPA, £550 for two, or £950 for four when couples create mirrors - showing economies of scale.

Online LPA Services: Cost vs. Value Analysis

Online services offer professional document creation at a fraction of solicitor costs, but pricing and inclusions vary.

WUHLD charges £99.99 per LPA plus registration. Total: £181.99-£191.99 single, £363.98-£383.98 dual. Includes guided questionnaire, professional review, donor and attorney guides, error checking, and witnessing instructions.

Co-op Legal Services has tiered pricing. Digital LPA: £120 per document. Couples' mirror LPAs: £210 total plus registration. Fully advised service: £354+ with phone consultations.

Which? charges £99 per document, often discounted to £69.30. Both-LPAs bundle: £138.60 plus registration - £302.60-£322.60 total.

What's typically included:

Intelligent questionnaires flag issues like appointing someone abroad or contradictory instructions. Error checking catches signature order, witness eligibility, date consistency, and completion issues before submission. Digital or postal delivery provides completed LPA forms ready for signing. Guidance explains the critical order: donor, then certificate provider, then attorneys.

What's not included:

Face-to-face legal advice for complex situations. Bespoke drafting for unusual requirements. Ongoing legal advisor relationships. Representation if the LPA is challenged.

For straightforward situations - appointing family as attorneys, standard decision-making, no business complications - online services provide everything needed. Couples creating dual LPAs each (four documents total) pay £328-£368 DIY, £727.96-£767.96 online, or £1,528-£2,368 with solicitors.

Over 2 million LPAs have been added to the OPG's online Use an LPA service, showing widespread digital adoption.

The DIY Route: Free LPA Creation Through GOV.UK

The OPG provides a free online tool - you only pay the £82-£92 registration fee. But the process has strict requirements.

You complete the online questionnaire, download and print forms (LP1F for finances, LP1H for health), arrange signing in exact order, find an eligible certificate provider, secure two independent witnesses for your signature, and submit with payment.

Critical requirements:

Signing order must be donor first, then certificate provider, then attorneys. Any deviation means rejection and £82-£92 resubmission.

Certificate provider must have known you 2+ years OR possess relevant professional skills (solicitor, doctor). Cannot be family, attorney, or married to your attorney.

Witnesses: You need two (18+, mentally capable, not attorneys, present when you sign). Attorneys need one each. Certificate provider needs one.

No correction fluid allowed. Even minor errors require reprinting the entire section. The OPG automatically rejects any LPA with correction fluid.

In 2023/24, approximately 51,000 applications were rejected - a 3.7% rejection rate.

Common costly mistakes:

Wrong signing order requires complete resubmission (£82-£92). Ineligible certificate provider invalidates the application (£82-£92). Witness errors require resubmission (£82-£92). Correction fluid triggers automatic rejection (£82-£92). Contradictory instructions might cost £41 or require full resubmission (£82-£92).

Processing takes 15-20 weeks for error-free submissions. Rejections add 4-8+ weeks. Some DIY users wait 6+ months.

When DIY makes sense: You're confident with complex forms, have free access to eligible certificate provider, have research time, situation is straightforward, comfortable with 3.7% rejection risk.

When it's risky: Not confident with paperwork, need it done quickly, can't afford resubmission fees, adding custom instructions.

DIY saves £99-£354 on service fees but risks £82-£92+ in rejections. First rejection eliminates all savings versus online services.

Hidden Costs and Fees to Avoid

Unexpected costs often catch people off-guard.

Rejection and resubmission fees are the biggest hidden cost. Every rejected LPA costs another £82-£92. With 51,000 rejections in 2023/24 at £82 each, UK residents collectively wasted £4.2 million in duplicate fees.

Amendment fees apply to some mistakes. Minor errors within 3 months might be free (spelling variations) or cost £41 (adding missing information). Fundamental errors after 3 months require full £82-£92 resubmission.

Court of Protection costs without an LPA dwarf LPA costs. Deputyship application: £408. Annual supervision: £35-£320. Solicitor help: £1,500-£3,000+. Processing time: 6-12 months.

First-year total: £2,228-£3,728. Ten-year total: £5,408+ (£408 plus £320 annually for 10 years plus solicitor fees).

Creating both LPAs now for £404 versus £2,228+ first year alone makes the LPA a bargain.

Professional help after DIY mistakes adds costs: solicitor fixes cost £200-£500. Certificate provider costs vary from free (qualified friend) to £50-£150 (solicitor) or £0-£100 (GP).

The biggest hidden cost is delay. Robert, 58, delayed creating his LPA to save £400. At 61, he had a stroke. His wife needed £2,400+ for Court of Protection application and waited 9 months to access savings for care home fees. Procrastination risks £2,228+ Court of Protection costs versus £400 for LPAs now.

The "cost" of an LPA isn't £400. It's £400 versus £2,228+ and 6-12 months of family stress.

LPA Fee Reductions and Exemptions: Who Qualifies?

The government offers significant reductions for people on low incomes or means-tested benefits.

Fee reduction (50% off):

Until 16 November 2025: Full £82, reduced £41, savings £41 per LPA. From 17 November 2025: Full £92, reduced £46, savings £46 per LPA.

You qualify if your gross annual income is under £12,000 before tax.

What counts: Employment earnings, state pension, private pension, investment income, rental income. What doesn't count: Savings balances, property value, benefits like PIP or Attendance Allowance.

Fee exemption (100% off):

You qualify for £0 registration if you receive: Universal Credit, Income Support, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Pension Credit (Guarantee), Housing Benefit, or certain Working Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit.

Full exemption saves £164-£184 for dual LPAs. You still pay for document creation unless using free GOV.UK tool.

Examples with exemption:

  • DIY plus exemption: £0 total
  • Online (WUHLD £99.99) plus exemption: £99.99 versus £181.99
  • Solicitor (£500) plus exemption: £500 versus £582

How to apply:

Download form LPA120A and submit with your LPA application. Don't pay full fee if claiming reduction/exemption.

Evidence needed:

For income reduction: Last 3 months' payslips, tax return (SA302), benefits award letter, or pension statement. For benefits exemption: Current benefit award letter (within 12 months) showing benefit type and payment status.

Submit LPA120A with your application. OPG reviews evidence (adds 1-2 weeks typically). If you don't qualify, they'll contact you for payment.

An estimated 15-20% of applications qualify for reduction or exemption. If eligible, apply - it's your right and saves £164-£184 on dual LPAs.

Cost Comparison: What's the Best Value LPA Option?

Choose based on situation complexity, budget, and risk tolerance.

By situation complexity:

Simple situations (appointing 1-2 family attorneys, no special instructions, no business/overseas property): Best value is online (£99-£354) or DIY. WUHLD: £181.99-£191.99 per LPA.

Moderate situations (3+ attorneys with specific rules, some preferences/instructions): Best value is online with review (£120-£354). WUHLD £99.99 includes review.

Complex situations (business ownership, overseas property, family disputes, £1M+ estate): Best value is solicitor (£300-£1,000+). Straightforward: £300-£600. Complex bespoke: £750-£1,500+.

By budget: Under £200 - DIY (£164-£184, 3.7% rejection risk). £200-£500 - online for both (WUHLD: £363.98-£383.98). £500-£1,500 - hybrid or solicitor for moderate complexity. £1,500+ - full solicitor service with bespoke drafting.

By risk tolerance: Low - solicitor with professional indemnity and expert review (£300-£1,000). Moderate - online with professional review and error checking (£99-£354). High - free GOV.UK tool with 3.7% rejection risk (save £99-£354).

Best value by persona: Budget-conscious retiree (under £12K income) - DIY with fee reduction (£82 total). Busy professional - online like WUHLD (£363.98-£383.98). Business owner - solicitor (£1,200-£2,000). Couples - online service (£408-£768 for 4 LPAs). First-timer - online with phone support (£520-£892).

For 80% of people, online services like WUHLD (£99.99 per LPA) offer best value: professional quality at fraction of solicitor costs, significantly lower rejection risk than DIY.

DIY makes sense for very budget-constrained and form-confident. Solicitors make sense for genuinely complex or £500K+ estates.

Don't let cost paralysis stop you. The question isn't whether you can afford £400 for LPAs. It's whether you can afford £2,228+ Court of Protection application without one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to register an LPA in the UK?

A: The Office of the Public Guardian registration fee is £82 per LPA until 16 November 2025, then £92 from 17 November 2025. If you need both types of LPA (property and financial affairs, plus health and welfare), you'll pay £164 (rising to £184) in registration fees alone, regardless of how you create the documents.

Q: What's the difference between solicitor LPA costs and online services?

A: Solicitors typically charge £300-£1,000 per LPA document plus the £82-£92 registration fee. Online services like WUHLD cost significantly less at £99.99-£354 per LPA plus registration fees. The key difference is that solicitors provide face-to-face advice, while online services offer guided digital processes with professional oversight.

Q: Can I get a fee reduction or exemption for my LPA?

A: Yes. You qualify for a 50% reduction (£46 fee from November 2025) if your annual income is under £12,000 before tax. You qualify for a full exemption if you receive means-tested benefits like Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit. Apply using form LPA120A when registering your LPA.

Q: What are the hidden costs of making an LPA?

A: Common hidden costs include £82 resubmission fees for rejected applications (51,000 rejected in 2023/24), £41 amendment fees for certain mistakes, potential £408+ Court of Protection fees if you don't have an LPA and lose capacity, and solicitor fees ranging £300-£1,000 if you need professional help correcting errors.

Q: Why do solicitors charge so much more for LPAs than online services?

A: Solicitor fees (£300-£1,000+) reflect face-to-face consultations, bespoke legal advice for complex situations, professional indemnity insurance, office overheads, and expert review of completed documents. Online services (£99-£354) use standardised digital processes, guided questionnaires, and remote support, making them suitable for straightforward situations at lower cost.

Q: How long does LPA registration take and can I use it before it's registered?

A: The Office of the Public Guardian takes approximately 15-20 weeks to register an LPA if there are no errors. You cannot use the LPA until it's registered, except in very limited circumstances for property and financial affairs LPAs. Mistakes can extend registration significantly, which is why accurate completion is crucial.

Q: Is it worth paying extra for professional LPA help?

A: Professional help is worth considering if you have complex circumstances (business interests, overseas property, family disputes, mental capacity concerns), previous LPA rejections, or want face-to-face guidance. For straightforward situations with clear attorney choices and simple wishes, online services with professional oversight like WUHLD offer excellent value at £99.99 per LPA.

How Much Should You Actually Spend on an LPA?

Your decision comes down to matching cost to circumstances:

  • The only mandatory cost is the £82-£92 OPG registration fee. Everything else depends on your creation method.
  • DIY (£164-£184 for dual LPAs) saves money but risks costly rejection fees. 51,000 applications were rejected in 2023/24.
  • Online services (£362-£892 for dual LPAs) offer best value balance: professional quality without solicitor prices.
  • Solicitors (£764-£2,184+ for dual LPAs) are worth the premium for complex estates, business owners, or bespoke legal needs.
  • Not having an LPA is the most expensive option: Court of Protection applications cost £2,228+ and take 6-12 months.

Whether you spend £164 on DIY or £1,764 on solicitors, you're investing in protection. Choose the option that fits your budget and circumstances, but don't let cost stop you from getting this essential legal protection.

Need Help with Your LPA?

Understanding LPA costs helps you choose the right option for your budget and needs, ensuring you get the protection you need without overpaying.

Create your will with confidence using WUHLD's guided platform. For just £99.99, you'll get your complete will (legally binding when properly executed and witnessed) plus three expert guides. Preview your will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.

Sources and Further Reading

Legal Disclaimer:

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.