The cost of a last power of attorney will go up to 92 pounds; apply now to avoid the increase

A loved one can be designated to assist with significant financial and medical decisions through the use of a lasting power of attorney

Should you apply now since the application fee will increase next month?

Next month, the cost of registering a lasting power of attorney (LPA) will increase by over 12 percent.

The application fee for LPA applications received after November 17, 2025, will increase from 82 to 92.

Families who are thinking about creating an LPA are being advised to take immediate action to protect their loved ones in the event of an emergency and to prevent paying more.

According to Power of Attorney Online founder Matt Cresswell, "One of the most crucial safeguards a family can have is an LPA. Now is the moment to take action because government fees will increase in November. In addition to saving money, putting one in place guarantees that decisions can be made promptly and with confidence when they are most important.

A lasting power of attorney: what is it?

Named family members or friends can handle your affairs in the event that you lose mental capacity thanks to an LPA.

For instance, you use an LPA to designate specific individuals, known as attorneys, to assist with your bank account and money-related decisions if you suffer from dementia or become too weak to handle your own finances.

Two varieties of LPA are available. A health and welfare one to assist with medical matters, and a property and financial affairs one to handle your finances.

With the aid of these legal documents, you can seek assistance when making financial and health-related decisions if you are uncertain.

Lucy Bluck, an Anthony Collins personal planning solicitor, states that "ideally, all adults should have an LPA, regardless of age or health."

"It's similar to having insurance that lets trusted individuals act in your best interests, take your place, and make decisions for you in the event that you are unable to do so any longer, possibly as a result of an injury or other medical situation.

In terms of your finances, an LPA also allows someone to act on your behalf even if you are still capable, such as when handling tasks like utility and bank statement management or contract negotiations become too much to handle.

According to Andrew Titmus, a partner and private client solicitor at Parfitt Cresswell, anyone whose unanticipated incapacity would cause significant financial difficulties for others should have an LPA in place.

He states: "This includes parents of small children and business owners.

It could be extremely difficult for a parent to get money for daily expenses related to caring for the family and the house if one of them loses their ability due to a medical condition or an automobile accident. For a business owner, it can mean that suppliers and workers won't be able to get paid.

This does not, however, imply relinquishing control. You maintain authority over your affairs and decide for yourself as long as you are mentally and physically capable, but you can seek assistance from your lawyers if necessary.

Why a permanent power of attorney might be necessary.

In many cases, nothing can be done for a loved one who loses mental capacity without an LPA; in other cases, the state steps in.

Getting control of their finances might even require you to apply to a court.

"We receive calls all too frequently that start with Dad passing away six weeks ago, and we need an LPA for Mum because we don't want her to experience the same issues that we did with him. For many families, not being able to access funds that are locked up can lead to significant hardship and frustration, according to Malcolm Roberts, director of LPA Now.

For those closest to a person in decline, the lack of legal authority to ensure that well-known wishes regarding care are followed can be extremely distressing because it leaves them helpless to influence decisions made by social services or medical personnel.

How to apply for a durable power of attorney.

An LPA for health and/or financial affairs can be filled out on the Gov.uk website, but it must be printed, signed by the individual, their lawyers, and witnesses, and then submitted to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) for registration.

This process will eventually be completely online.

It currently costs 82 to create an LPA, but next month it will cost 92. The new fee of 92 will be applied to any LPA received by the OPG as of November 17. Applications submitted prior to this date will continue to cost £82.

You may be eligible for a reduced fee or the fee may be waived entirely if your income is less than £12,000 or if you receive certain benefits.

Many people can easily complete LPAs without legal counsel, but if your affairs are complicated, you might want to hire a solicitor, which will increase the cost.

According to Power of Attorney Online, over 1.3 million applications were filed last year, but over 50,000 are denied each year because of preventable mistakes.

Families should carefully review the documentation before submitting it to prevent errors and delays.

A lasting power of attorney: things to be aware of.

Selecting an attorney to handle your affairs is entirely up to you.

But according to Hannah Borner Webster, a partner at Taylor Walton Solicitors, it's critical to pick a person you can trust and who knows you well enough to know how you want decisions to change.

"It is important to choose attorneys who get along if you are selecting multiple attorneys," she says.

They ought to be accountable and possess the abilities needed to decide on your behalf.

According to Roberts, there is no democracy among lawyers, so a family member who acts obstinately or argumentatively, or who doesn't get along with their siblings, could paralyze an LPA.

In order to prevent or at least lessen conflicts, he advises that it is worthwhile to make clear your desires and put them in writing for different situations.

"If you have specific, detailed requirements, advanced statements, or letters of wishes, can be put in place, so attorneys have a solid reference point," Roberts says.

This can eliminate any confusion between, for example, lawyers who may have lived closer to a loved one in their later years compared to those who live farther away.