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How to make a lasting power of attorney (LPA): starting an application online, choosing an attorney, certifying a copy, changing an LPA.

• Overview

  A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the…

• Choose your attorney

  You can choose one or more people to be your attorney. If you appoint more…

• Make a lasting power of attorney

  You can make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) online or using paper…

• Register a lasting power of attorney

  When you’ve made your lasting power of attorney (LPA), you need to…

• Certify a copy of a lasting power of attorney

  You can confirm that a copy of your registered lasting power of attorney…

• Changes you need to report

  You (if you still have mental capacity) or one of your attorneys must tell…

• Removing an attorney

  You can ask the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to remove an attorney…

• End your lasting power of attorney

  You can end your lasting power of attorney (LPA) yourself - if you have…

• Updated: 15 December 2016

Acting as an attorney - duties, including finding an enduring power of attorney, registering an EPA, starting to act, making gifts and stopping being an attorney

• Overview

  You can help make or make decisions about someone’s property and money if…

• Register an enduring power of attorney

  You must register the enduring power of attorney (EPA) as soon as the…

• Check an enduring power is legal

  You can only use an enduring power of attorney (EPA) if it was made…

• When there's more than one attorney

  Check the enduring power of attorney (EPA) form to find out how many…

• Your duties

  You’re responsible for helping the donor to make decisions for things like…

• Payment and expenses

  Unless you’re a professional attorney, you will not normally be paid for…

• Stop acting as an attorney

  You’ll stop acting as the donor’s attorney if: the donor dies - the…

Help someone make decisions if they appoint you or if they lack mental capacity - includes using a power of attorney, becoming a deputy and getting a one-off Court of Protection ruling

Your chances of obtaining a useful patent are significantly greater if you use an attorney. A patent specification is a legal document and requires specialist skills to draft properly.

• Updated: 14 January 2015

Using a registered lasting power of attorney (LPA) - attorney duties, starting to act, gifting, ending, revoking an attorney.

You have the right to speak for yourself in court without a solicitor or legal professional - where to get help with papers and procedures

Apply to search the Office of the Public Guardian registers to see if they have a Lasting Power of Attorney, deputy or guardian acting on their behalf

• Updated: 2 February 2026

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides lists of English-speaking lawyers abroad to help British nationals find the legal support they need.

• Updated: 24 February 2022