A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose the ability to do so yourself. Clear advice and professional support from Choice Wills in Northampton.
Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, your loved ones could face serious challenges if you lose the ability to make decisions for yourself. They would need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as your deputy, a process that can be slow, expensive and emotionally draining.
You would have no say in who is appointed. The court ultimately decides who takes control of your finances, healthcare or living arrangements. In the meantime, jointly held assets like your home or bank accounts may be frozen, putting your spouse or family under unnecessary financial pressure.
By arranging an LPA in advance, you stay in control, choosing exactly who will act on your behalf and giving them the legal authority to step in when needed. It’s a simple step that protects your future and brings peace of mind to those you trust most.
Average Court of Protection deputy costs
Applying to the Court of Protection can take 6–12 months and cost thousands in fees, on top of ongoing supervision costs. An LPA, set up while you still have capacity, removes that risk entirely, for a small fraction of the cost.
Accidents and illness rarely give warning. A stroke, an accident or a diagnosis of dementia can happen at any age, and without an LPA, even the closest family members have no legal authority to step in.
That means your spouse, partner or children can’t access joint accounts, pay your bills, deal with HMRC, manage your home or speak to your doctors on your behalf, until the Court of Protection grants permission.
An LPA puts that authority in the hands of someone you’ve chosen, ready to use the moment it’s needed.
Court of Protection deputyships take months to obtain, family bills can’t wait that long.
Application fees, solicitors and ongoing court supervision can stack up into the thousands of pounds.
Banks may freeze joint accounts the moment they hear a partner has lost capacity, leaving the other unable to pay essential bills.
Without an LPA, the court chooses who steps in, which may not be the person you’d have picked.
There are two types of LPA. We usually recommend arranging both at the same time, so every part of your life is covered.
Allows your appointed Attorney(s) to handle the practical side of life when you’re unable to:
Can be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission, even if you’re still mentally capable.
Covers the personal decisions that affect your day-to-day wellbeing and care:
Can only be used once you’ve lost the mental capacity to make these decisions yourself.
We understand that discussing LPAs can feel daunting. That’s why Colin take the time to guide you through everything, in plain English, no jargon, no pressure.
Whether you prefer a face-to-face appointment in the comfort of your own home or an online consultation, we make the process simple, personal and fully compliant.
We serve clients across Northamptonshire, including Wellingborough, Kettering, Daventry and the surrounding villages.
The questions people ask Colin most often about setting up an LPA.
A Lasting Power of Attorney starts at £285. Most people set up both types together, one for property and financial affairs and one for health and welfare. The Office of the Public Guardian charges a separate registration fee of £82 per LPA, and you may qualify for a reduction or an exemption if you are on a low income or receive certain benefits. Your first consultation is free and every fee is agreed up front.
Your attorney must be 18 or over and have mental capacity. Most people choose a spouse, an adult child, another relative or a trusted friend. You can appoint more than one, and you can say whether they must act together on every decision or can act independently. Anyone who is bankrupt cannot act as an attorney for property and financial affairs. We will talk through who is right for you during your free consultation.
The Office of the Public Guardian currently takes around 8 to 20 weeks to register a Lasting Power of Attorney, and it cannot be used until registration is complete. That is why it is worth setting one up whilst you are well rather than waiting until it is needed. We prepare the documents, arrange the signatures in the right order and handle the registration for you.
An LPA is something you choose to set up whilst you still have mental capacity, naming the people you trust. Deputyship is what your family is left with if you lose capacity without one. They must apply to the Court of Protection, which can take 6 to 12 months, costs considerably more, and the court decides who is appointed rather than you. Setting up an LPA in advance is far quicker, cheaper and keeps the decision in your hands.
Yes. A Will only takes effect after you die. An LPA covers what happens whilst you are still alive but unable to make decisions for yourself, whether through illness, an accident or dementia. The two documents do different jobs and most people set them up together during the same home visit.
Yes. Colin comes to you at a time that suits you, including evenings, and explains everything in plain English. We cover Northampton and the surrounding Northamptonshire towns, and can arrange online appointments anywhere in England and Wales.
A short, friendly consultation is all it takes to put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place , and give yourself and your family lasting peace of mind.
Plain-English advice from Colin on the questions people ask most.