Legal update: Lasting Power of Attorney fees to increase in November 2025
Last month, the Ministry of Justice announced that the fee for registering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will rise later this year.
From Monday 17 November 2025, the application fee will increase from £82 to £92 per LPA. This change applies to all applications received by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) on or after that date.
Why are LPA fees increasing?
The Government has explained that the rise is intended to ensure that fees better reflect the cost of processing applications. This is subject to parliamentary approval and follows His Majesty’s Treasury guidance. This is the first increase since fees were reduced from £110 to £82 back in 2017.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A LPA is a formal document in which a person can legally authorise one or more individuals to be able to deal with matters on their behalf should you lose the ability to do so or with your consent.
There are two main types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA: covering your money, bills and assets.
- Health and Welfare LPA: covering your medical treatment, care and day-to-day decisions.
Without an LPA, no one has the legal authority to assist you with these matters, should you lose capacity. Having LPAs in place gives peace of mind that your wishes will be respected, and your loved ones can act quickly if needed.
What does the fee increase mean for you?
If you are considering making an LPA, it may be worth acting now to secure the current £82 fee.
With the rise taking effect on Monday 17th November, we would recommend starting the process no later than mid to late October. Preparing LPAs usually takes 2–4 weeks depending on how quickly documents are reviewed by yourself and returned back to your solicitor, so early action can help ensure your applications are submitted before the higher fee applies.
How does this affect solicitor fees?
The OPG application fee is separate from any solicitor’s fees. This charge applies no matter how you make your LPA, whether you use a solicitor or complete the forms yourself.
Solicitor’s fees, where charged, cover the professional advice, drafting, and ensuring that your documents are valid and correctly signed. The £82 (rising to £92) application fee must still be paid in addition to this, as it goes directly to the OPG.
Are there fee exemptions or reductions?
Yes, depending on financial circumstances, some people may be eligible for either a full exemption or a partial remission of the fee. More information is available on the Government’s website, and we are happy to guide clients through this process.
Our advice
While the increase itself is modest and in line with inflation, it’s a timely reminder of the importance of planning ahead and having an LPA in place. LPAs provide peace of mind, ensuring your wishes are respected and that those you trust can step in to help when you need them most.
If you would like to discuss setting up LPAs or wish to start the process before the fee change, please contact our Wills and estate management team. We will guide you through every step and make sure your application is dealt with smoothly and promptly.
If you’d like to talk through your options or simply want to know more, please get in touch with our team today by calling one of our office numbers or use our online enquiry form.
This information comes from the Ministry of Justice’s official update which can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-lasting-power-of-attorney-fees-2025.