DIY Lasting Power of Attorney fees: Just the facts

There are certain measures that take very little of our time but can save us a lot of hardship and frustration later on. Creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is one such measure.

Making an LPA is a way of ensuring that you retain some control over future uncertainties and, by making arrangements now, it allows you to have the peace of mind of knowing that if you can’t make decisions for yourself in the future, you will have chosen someone you trust to make them for you. 

The process is much easier now than it used to be in the past, thanks to the efforts of the government. There is a fair chance that you may find enough guidance on this matter from charitable organisations such as Citizens Advice, in order to do it yourself.

How much does a Lasting Power of Attorney cost?

The cost of making a Lasting Power of Attorney depends on whether you wish to set the documents up on your own or seek the guidance of a professional such as a solicitor or a legal service like Zenco Legal.

If you opt for the services of a professional, you will need to pay legal fees in addition to the registration fee.

For a lasting power of attorney to be usable, it must be registered with The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) for an application fee. Should you choose Zenco to prepare your LPA, we will require you to include this payment. 

Exemptions are available if you have access to certain government benefits, as well as a 50% reduction in cost if you receive less than £12,000 per annum or receive Universal Credit. For more information, please refer to the Office of the Public Guardian website.

Should you get help or DIY?

Before you can proceed to setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney, it is important for you to understand what the forms mean and that you can handle the administration of it all.

There is trust involved in this matter which makes it a sensitive topic for most families. Unfortunately, instances of dispute over these matters are not unheard of.

You should make sure that you have discussed this matter in depth with your family and friends and made your wishes known. You could even ask them to assist you with setting up your Lasting Power of Attorney.

Another factor that is important here is how much you are willing to spend.

Deciding whether you should use a professional

The very first decision that you need to make is whether or not you would like to use the services of a professional. If you are savvy with administration, you can save yourself around £500 on average by deciding to do it yourself.

If your estate is complicated, there are disagreements within your family, or you wish to keep the process as stress-free as possible, you should consider getting the assistance of a professional to help you with the process.

How can Zenco help you?

We offer guidance through the Power of Attorney process – our experts will check your documents for you and post them to you, ready for signing and registration.

Starting at £99 per document, our process is on average more affordable than a solicitor, whilst still offering peace of mind and the knowledge that the Power of Attorney form has been filled out correctly.

You can begin your Power of Attorney using our online system. It’s easy to use, and your progress can be saved and returned to at any point, and most importantly you don’t pay until you’re happy with your document.

You can find out more about the process by following this link.

Do it Yourself by making an online application

If you have decided to go down the DIY route, you can follow the instructions provided on the government website. Once you have filled the forms on the internet, you must print the forms and sign them. It is also possible to download the forms, fill them in and then take the printouts.

Signatures of the person who is making the Power of Attorney and their nominated representatives are mandatory. If you encounter any difficulty at the time of filling in the forms, you can get in touch with the Office of the Public Guardian on 0300 456 0300. 

Register the LPA

Once the above formalities have been completed, you can proceed to the next step of registering it by posting the application to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). More information on registration steps can be found on Gov.uk. 

In England and Wales, the registration of a Power of Attorney will cost you £92, which is a compulsory fee that must be paid. In Scotland, the fee is £77, whereas in Northern Ireland it is £127.

The cost of registering a single LPA is £92 which means that if you wish to register a Property and Finance LPA as well as a Health and Welfare LPA, the total cost would be £164. 

If you belong to a low income group and your annual earnings are below £12000, you can pay a reduced fee of £41 by providing evidence of your income. You may even be exempted from paying the fees altogether if you are on certain benefits. 

It is also within the powers of OPG to waive fees if you’re experiencing financial hardship. You can call the OPG helpline on 0300 456 0300 and request the necessary forms if you believe that the fees would cause you real financial hardship.