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Guidance

Getting started as an attorney: health and welfare

What to do first if you're acting for someone under a lasting power of attorney for health and care decisions.

Updates to this page

From:
Office of the Public Guardian
Published:
14 May 2015
Last updated:
9 July 2025
Show all updates

  1. Updated Crown logo and version date

  2. Contact centre, international and Relay numbers amended

  3. Alzheimer's Society contact number updated.

  4. Updated the new Court of Protection fee (£385, down from £400)

  5. Added translation

  6. Added translation

  7. Added large print version of the LP10 and added a Welsh translation of the page

  8. First published.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

LP10 Getting started as an attorney: health and welfare (web version)

HTML

LP10 Getting started as an attorney: health and welfare (print version)

PDF, 375 KB, 6 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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LP10 Getting started as an attorney: health and welfare (large print)

PDF, 432 KB, 7 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

If someone chooses you to make decisions for them in case they lose mental capacity, find out more about your responsibilities and how you can prepare.

The leaflet includes practical advice such as:

  • understanding the likes and dislikes of the person
  • helping them to make decisions
  • involving friends and family
  • dealing with health and social care staff

For an overview of your duties, read the guidance on acting as an attorney.

The Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice has more information on the legal background to what you can and can’t do as an attorney.

Alternative formats

You can email customerservices@publicguardian.gov.uk to get a document in large print. Please include your address.

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