Changes to Lasting Power of Attorney Fees: What You Need to Know (2025 Update)
Key Takeaways:
- LPA fees rising to £92 — From 17 November 2025, the cost per Lasting Power of Attorney will increase by £10, subject to parliamentary approval.
- Apply early to save — Applications received by the Office of the Public Guardian before 17 November 2025 will still qualify for the current £82 rate.
- Exemptions remain available — Applicants on low income or means-tested benefits can still apply for a full or partial fee reduction.
Lasting Power of Attorney fees set to rise in November 2025
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that the application fee for making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) will increase from £82 to £92 later this year.
Subject to parliamentary approval, the new fee will apply to LPA applications received by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) from 17 November 2025 onwards.
This change affects anyone applying to register a Property and Financial Affairs LPA or a Health and Welfare LPA in England and Wales.
Why are LPA fees increasing?
According to the MoJ, the adjustment is designed to ensure that the income generated from LPA applications better reflects the actual cost of processing them.
The OPG has seen rising operational costs in recent years, driven by increased digital demand, administrative workloads, and inflationary pressures. The government states that the fee increase will help maintain service quality and support modernisation efforts — including the upcoming digital LPA (DLPA) reforms.
The fee review follows His Majesty’s Treasury guidance on Managing Public Money, which requires that public service fees remain proportionate to the cost of delivery.
What this means for applicants
From 17 November 2025, the new fees will apply as follows:
- £92 per LPA application (up from £82)
- The fee applies per document, not per person — so if you make both a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and a Health & Welfare LPA, the total fee will be £184.
If you plan to apply for an LPA this year, submitting your forms before 17 November 2025 will allow you to pay the current £82 rate.
Who is eligible for a fee reduction or exemption?
The MoJ has confirmed that fee exemptions and remissions will continue to apply under the same criteria.
You may qualify for an exemption (no fee) or a remission (50% reduction) if you meet certain financial thresholds.
You may be eligible for:
- Full exemption: If you receive certain means-tested benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit Guarantee).
- 50% remission: If your annual income before tax is less than £12,000.
Applicants must submit proof of income or benefits with their LPA application to claim a reduction.
You can find detailed eligibility criteria and forms for exemptions and remissions on the Office of the Public Guardian website.
How to avoid the higher LPA fee
If you are planning to make a Lasting Power of Attorney for yourself or a loved one, it’s worth acting before mid-November 2025.
Here’s how to prepare:
- Start early. Draft your LPA now and gather all required information and witnesses.
- Use the correct form. You can apply online through the gov.uk LPA service or by downloading the paper form.
- Submit before 17 November 2025. The date your application is received by the OPG determines which fee applies — not the date you post or sign it.
If your LPA arrives after this date, you’ll need to pay the new £92 fee, even if you posted it earlier.
Why LPAs remain essential despite the fee increase
A Lasting Power of Attorney is one of the most important legal documents you can have. It allows you to appoint someone you trust (an attorney) to make decisions about your finances, property, health, and care if you lose capacity in the future.
Without an LPA, your loved ones may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which is a more time-consuming and expensive process.
Even with the £10 increase, an LPA remains a cost-effective and powerful safeguard, especially given rising health and financial risks in later life.
Parachute Law commentary
The increase in fees may frustrate applicants, particularly amid a wider cost-of-living squeeze, but it’s important to view this change in context. The Office of the Public Guardian has been under pressure to digitise and streamline the LPA system.
The digital LPA rollout, expected to continue into 2026, aims to:
- Simplify the application process
- Reduce fraud risks
- Speed up registration times
A modest fee increase could help support these improvements while keeping LPAs accessible to the majority of applicants.
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