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DIY LPA: Can You Do It Without a Solicitor?

8 min11 Jan 2026

Can You Do an LPA Without a Solicitor? (Yes, and Here's How)

Many people assume you need a solicitor to create an LPA. After all, it's a legal document with serious implications. But the reality is that the government has designed the LPA process to be accessible to everyone.

The forms are standardised. The online service guides you step by step. And for most people with straightforward situations, professional help isn't necessary - just helpful if you want extra reassurance.

Let's walk through exactly how to do it yourself.

Table of Contents

What You Need Before Starting {#what-you-need}

Before you begin the online form, gather this information:

Personal Details

About you (the donor):

  • Full name and date of birth
  • Current address
  • How you want to sign (signature or mark)

About your attorneys:

  • Full names and dates of birth
  • Current addresses
  • How they're related to you (if applicable)

About replacement attorneys (if appointing):

  • Same details as above
  • When they should step in

Decisions to Make

For Property and Financial Affairs LPA:

  • Who will be your attorney(s)?
  • If multiple attorneys, should they act jointly, jointly and severally, or mixed?
  • Can they act while you still have capacity, or only when you've lost it?
  • Any restrictions or conditions on their powers?

For Health and Welfare LPA:

  • Who will be your attorney(s)?
  • If multiple attorneys, should they act jointly, jointly and severally, or mixed?
  • Should they have authority to make decisions about life-sustaining treatment?
  • Any specific preferences or instructions about your care?

Other People

Certificate provider:

  • Someone who will confirm you understand the LPA
  • Either: someone who has known you for 2+ years (not family, not your attorney)
  • Or: a professional (GP, solicitor, social worker, etc.)

People to notify (optional):

  • Up to 5 people who'll be told before registration
  • They can raise objections if concerned

Step-by-Step Guide to DIY LPA {#step-by-step}

After Printing: The Signing Process

The LPA must be signed in a specific order. Getting this wrong can invalidate the entire document.

Order of signing:

  1. You (the donor) sign first - Sections 5 and 9
  2. Your certificate provider signs - Section 10
  3. Your attorneys sign - Section 11
  4. Your replacement attorneys sign (if any) - Section 11

Each signature needs a witness who:

  • Is 18 or over
  • Is not the same person signing
  • Can be the same witness for multiple signatures (except you can't witness your own attorneys' signatures if you're also a named person)

Submitting to the OPG

Once signed:

  1. Return to gov.uk to submit the application online
  2. Pay the £82 registration fee by card
  3. Post the signed paper documents to the OPG

Or alternatively, submit everything by post with a cheque.

Address: Office of the Public Guardian PO Box 16185 Birmingham B2 2WH

Registration takes 8-10 weeks if everything is correct.

Finding a Certificate Provider {#certificate-provider}

Your certificate provider plays a crucial role. They sign a statement confirming that:

  • You understand the purpose and scope of the LPA
  • No one is pressuring you to create it
  • There's no fraud or undue pressure involved

Option 1: Someone Who Knows You

A person who has known you personally for at least 2 years. They must:

  • Be 18 or over
  • Not be a family member of you or your attorney
  • Not be your attorney or replacement attorney
  • Not be a business partner or employee of you or your attorney

Good choices:

  • Long-standing friends
  • Neighbours you've known for years
  • Former colleagues
  • Members of clubs or groups you belong to

Cost: Free

Option 2: A Professional

Someone with relevant professional skills can act even if they haven't known you for 2 years. Eligible professions include:

  • Registered healthcare professional (GP, nurse, pharmacist)
  • Solicitor, barrister, or legal executive
  • Registered social worker
  • Independent mental capacity advocate
  • Registered psychologist

Cost: Usually £20-100 if you're not their existing client

Certificate Provider Tips

  • Ask your GP if they'll sign - some do this as a courtesy for patients, others charge
  • A solicitor may do it for a small fee even if they're not preparing the LPA
  • If using a friend, make sure they're comfortable with the responsibility
  • The certificate provider cannot be connected to your attorneys

Common Mistakes That Invalidate LPAs {#common-mistakes}

The OPG rejects thousands of LPAs each year for avoidable errors. Here are the most common:

1. Signing in the Wrong Order

The problem: Attorneys sign before the donor and certificate provider.

The rule: Donor first, then certificate provider, then attorneys. Always.

How to avoid: Number the signing order on each signature page. Don't let attorneys sign until the certificate provider section is complete.

2. Missing or Invalid Witnesses

The problem: Witnesses are too young, related to the wrong person, or missing entirely.

The rule: Every signature needs a witness who is 18+, not the person signing, and (for your attorneys) not you.

How to avoid: Use an independent adult as witness for all signatures. Check each section is witnessed before moving on.

3. Certificate Provider Issues

The problem: Certificate provider is related to attorney, hasn't known donor long enough, or is ineligible.

The rule: Must be either a professional OR known donor 2+ years AND not related to donor or attorney.

How to avoid: Double-check eligibility requirements before asking someone. Use a professional if in doubt.

4. Contradictory Instructions

The problem: Instructions that make the LPA impossible to use or contradict its purpose.

The rule: Instructions must be workable and not undermine the LPA's function.

How to avoid: Keep instructions simple and practical. If in doubt, use preferences (guidance) rather than instructions (binding).

5. Illegible or Missing Information

The problem: Handwritten sections can't be read, dates are missing, boxes are left blank.

The rule: All required information must be present and legible.

How to avoid: Complete the form online and print, rather than handwriting. Check every section before posting.

6. Wrong Fee or Payment

The problem: Wrong amount, cheque bounces, or fee not included.

The rule: £82 per LPA, paid by cheque to "Office of the Public Guardian" or card online.

How to avoid: Pay online when submitting - less room for error.

When You Should Use a Solicitor {#when-solicitor}

DIY works for most people, but some situations benefit from professional help:

Complex Family Situations

  • Multiple marriages or stepchildren
  • Family members who might contest the LPA
  • Estrangement from family members
  • Potential for conflict between attorneys

Complex Assets

  • Business ownership or partnerships
  • Property abroad
  • Trust interests
  • Significant investments or unusual assets

Uncertainty About Choices

  • Not sure who to appoint as attorney
  • Unsure about instructions or preferences
  • Questions about capacity or ability to make LPA
  • Need advice on joint vs several attorney arrangements

Comfort and Reassurance

  • Want professional confirmation everything is correct
  • Don't feel confident with online forms
  • Prefer face-to-face explanation
  • Want someone to store documents securely

Capacity Concerns

  • Creating LPA for someone with early dementia (they must still have capacity)
  • Questions about whether donor understands
  • Need formal capacity assessment

DIY vs Solicitor Comparison {#comparison}

The Middle Ground: Online Services

Several companies offer a middle option:

  • Guided form completion (easier than gov.uk for some)
  • Error checking and validation
  • Customer support
  • Typically £30-100 per LPA on top of registration

This can be a good compromise if you want more help than DIY but don't need full legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}

Key Takeaways

  • DIY is entirely possible for most people with straightforward situations
  • Cost is just £164 for both LPAs using the free gov.uk service
  • The process takes 1-2 hours of form completion, plus time for signing
  • Certificate providers don't need to be professionals - a long-standing friend works
  • Common mistakes are avoidable with careful attention to instructions
  • Consider professional help if your situation is complex or you want extra reassurance

Next Steps {#next-steps}

Related Guides:

Last updated: January 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The gov.uk LPA service is the official government resource for creating LPAs in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.

Last updated: 11 January 2026