Article Guide • Health & Welfare LPA
Do I Need a Health and Welfare LPA?
Many people assume their family would automatically be able to make health or care decisions for them.
In reality, being listened to is not always the same as having legal authority. This guide explains what a Health and Welfare LPA does, why it can matter at different stages of life, and when it may be worth putting one in place.
Reading time: 8–10 minutes
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Choose who could act for you if you ever need support
A Lasting Power of Attorney gives people you trust clear legal authority to help with important decisions about your finances, property, care or medical treatment.
Understand the two types of LPA, how the process works and which level of support is right for you.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you choose who could make decisions for you if you ever need help.
The people you appoint are called your attorneys. They might be your spouse, partner, adult children, relatives or trusted friends.
An LPA gives them clear legal authority to act for you. Without one, the people closest to you do not automatically have the right to manage your finances or make decisions about your care.
Putting an LPA in place while you are able to make your own decisions can prevent uncertainty, delay and additional cost later.
The two types of LPA
There are two separate LPAs, and each covers different decisions.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can allow your attorneys to deal with matters such as bank accounts, bills, pensions, benefits and property.
With your permission, it can also be used while you are still able to make your own decisions.
A Health and Welfare LPA can allow your attorneys to make decisions about your care, medical treatment, living arrangements and day-to-day wellbeing.
It can only be used if you are no longer able to make the particular decision yourself.
You can make either type of LPA, although many people choose to put both in place.
How Elephant Legal helps
An LPA involves more than filling in a form.
You need to choose suitable attorneys, decide how they should act and understand the options included in the documents.
Elephant Legal helps you work through those decisions and prepares the documents carefully from your instructions.
You can choose a structured online service if you already know what you want, or a guided service if you would prefer to talk everything through.
Whichever route you choose, you receive clear explanations and support through the preparation and registration process.
Choose the support that suits you
How you can work with us
Choose the route that best suits how much guidance you would like before your LPA documents are prepared.
Structured online route
Fast Track LPA Service
Already know who you would like to appoint and what you want your LPA to say?
Complete a structured online form and provide your instructions remotely. We will review the information, prepare your documents carefully and guide you through the signing and registration process.
Our fees
- One LPA £95
- Two LPAs £190
- Four LPAs £380
Start your booking for £28.50
This is a 30% initial payment. The remaining balance will be due as your matter progresses.
Personal guidance route
Guided LPA Service
Would you prefer to talk through your circumstances and options first?
Book an appointment to discuss your choice of attorneys, how they should make decisions and any preferences or instructions you may wish to include. We will then prepare your documents and support you through signing and registration.
Our fees
- One LPA £145
- Two LPAs £240
- Four LPAs for a couple £430
Schedule your appointment
A 30% initial payment of £43.50 secures a Guided LPA booking. Any additional balance will reflect the number of LPAs you choose.
Office of the Public Guardian fees: Our fees do not include the separate fee charged by the Office of the Public Guardian to register each LPA. Registration fees will be added to the total cost. Some people may qualify for a reduction or exemption, depending on their financial circumstances.
Clear guidance before you decide
Not sure which LPA route is right for you?
You may be unsure which type of LPA you need, who to appoint as your attorneys, or whether Fast Track or Guided support would suit you best. You are welcome to ask a question or arrange a free initial conversation before deciding how to proceed.
Common questions
Lasting Powers of Attorney explained
Clear answers to some of the questions people commonly ask before putting an LPA in place.
What is the difference between the two types of LPA?
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA covers decisions about money and property. This can include managing bank accounts, paying bills, dealing with pensions or benefits, and buying or selling property.
Once it has been registered, it can also be used with your permission while you are still able to make your own decisions.
A Health and Welfare LPA covers decisions about your care, medical treatment, living arrangements and day-to-day wellbeing. It can only be used when you are unable to make the particular decision yourself.
Do I need both LPAs?
You can make either type of LPA or put both in place.
The two documents cover different areas, so having one does not give your attorneys authority over the other. Many people choose both so that trusted people can deal with financial matters and make decisions about care if either form of support is ever needed.
Who can act as an attorney?
An attorney must be aged 18 or over. You can appoint a spouse, partner, adult child, relative, friend or professional adviser.
The most important consideration is whether you trust them to understand your wishes, make careful decisions and act in your best interests.
You can appoint more than one attorney and decide whether they must make decisions together or whether they can also act separately.
Someone who is bankrupt or subject to a Debt Relief Order cannot act as an attorney under a Property and Financial Affairs LPA.
Will I still be in control of my own decisions?
Yes. Making an LPA does not take away your right to make your own decisions.
Your attorneys must support you to make decisions wherever possible. They cannot simply take over because they disagree with your choices.
A Health and Welfare LPA can only be used when you cannot make the particular decision yourself.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA may be used while you still have capacity, but only if the document allows it and you give your permission.
How long does LPA registration take?
The Office of the Public Guardian currently advises that it takes around 8 to 10 weeks to process and register an LPA application, provided there are no mistakes or objections.
It is therefore sensible to prepare and register your LPAs before they are urgently needed. An attorney cannot use an LPA until it has been registered.
What happens if I never use my LPAs?
Nothing needs to happen. An LPA can remain registered and ready without ever being used.
Putting one in place simply means that legal authority is available if it is needed in the future. You can continue managing your own affairs and making your own decisions for as long as you are able to do so.
What happens next if I decide to proceed?
First, choose whether the Fast Track or Guided service suits you best.
With Fast Track, you provide your instructions through a structured online process. With Guided support, you begin with an appointment to talk through your circumstances, attorneys and available options.
We will then prepare your documents for you to review. Once everything is agreed, the documents must be signed in the correct order by you, your certificate provider, your attorneys and the relevant witnesses.
We will guide you through signing and submit the completed LPAs to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Ready to put your LPAs in place?
Choose the route that gives you the right level of guidance and support.
Fast Track is designed for people who already have a clear idea of the arrangements they would like to make and are comfortable providing their instructions online.
Guided support begins with an appointment, giving you time to discuss your circumstances, choice of attorneys and the decisions involved before your documents are prepared.
Not sure which route is right for you? You are welcome to ask a question before making a decision.
Clear explanations, careful preparation and support through to registration.
Initial payments form part of the final Elephant Legal service fee. Office of the Public Guardian registration fees are payable separately for each LPA. Some people may qualify for a reduction or exemption.