What You Need to Know
If you’ve been thinking about setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), now may be the right time to take action. The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has announced that from 17 November 2025, the cost to register an LPA will increase.
Currently, the registration fee is £82 per application, but from the above date, it will rise to £92 per application. For those eligible for a 50% remission, the fee will increase from £41 to £46. Clients who qualify for a full exemption will continue to pay nothing. Though it’s important to provide the correct supporting evidence to ensure the exemption is granted.
Why Is the Fee Increasing?
The Ministry of Justice has approved this fee rise to make sure that the OPG can continue providing a reliable, efficient service. Although the increase may feel inconvenient, it reflects the true cost of delivering the registration process.
Over the past year, the OPG has made improvements to reduce waiting times, with many applications now being processed in around 40 working days, a significant improvement compared to the delays experienced in recent years. The revised fees are designed to maintain this improved level of service and to ensure that the system remains sustainable for the future.
A Quick Refresher: What Is an LPA, and Why Is It Important?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a vital legal document that allows you to appoint trusted individuals, known as attorneys, to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself.
There are two main types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA – allows your chosen attorneys to manage your money, property, and financial matters.
- Health and Welfare LPA – allows your attorneys to make decisions about your care, medical treatment, and daily wellbeing.
Without an LPA in place, your loved ones may face significant delays and costs if they need to apply to the Court of Protection to act on your behalf. Registering an LPA now not only gives you peace of mind but also ensures that the people you trust are legally able to act in your best interests when needed.
Why Act Now?
The fee increase may only seem like £10 more per application, but for many families, it can add up, especially if you’re registering both types of LPA or helping multiple family members to get their affairs in order.
Registering both types of LPA now (Property & Financial affairs and Health & Welfare) will cost £164 under the current fees, compared to £184 after 17 November 2025.
For couples, the difference is even clearer: registering four LPAs (both types for each partner) will cost £328 at today’s rates but £368 after the change.
Acting before the deadline not only saves you money but also ensures your paperwork is in place sooner, protecting you and your family against the unexpected.
Support with Fees
It’s important to remember that not everyone has to pay the full cost. If your income is below a certain level, you may qualify for a 50% remission (this will be £46 from November). If you receive certain means-tested benefits, you may be entitled to a full exemption, meaning there will be no fee to pay at all.
These options remain available under the new system, but the amounts will adjust in line with the overall fee increase.
How We Can Help
Navigating the LPA process can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. At Hart Reade, we guide our clients through each stage of the LPA process, which includes preparing the application, ensuring that the forms are completed correctly, gathering the necessary supporting documents, and completing thefinal registration with the OPG.
By acting now, you can avoid the upcoming fee increase, secure peace of mind for yourself and your loved one and ensure that, should the unexpected happen, trusted people are already in place to make important decisions on your behalf.
The upcoming change to LPA registration fees is a timely reminder of just how important it is to get your affairs in order. For many people, setting up an LPA is one of the most thoughtful and practical steps you can take to protect your future and provide reassurance to your family.
With the deadline of 17 November 2025 fast approaching, we encourage anyone considering an LPA to begin the process now to benefit from the current rates.
If you’d like advice or support with drafting and registering your LPA, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to ensure the process is smooth, straightforward, and cost-effective.
Article by Angjela Shehu
Please note the above is for information purposes only and is intended to be a short summary. It should not be treated as a comprehensive guide and should not be acted on without qualified legal advice.
