Why Every Adult Should Consider Putting an LPA in Place

Created: 26 June 2026

Many people assume that Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are only relevant for older individuals or those facing health concerns. In reality, an LPA is one of the most important legal documents any adult can put in place, regardless of age, wealth or family circumstances.

Life is unpredictable. Accidents, illness and unexpected events can affect anyone at any stage of life. An LPA provides peace of mind by ensuring that if you become unable to make decisions for yourself, someone you trust can step in and act on your behalf.

Despite the significant protection they offer, millions of adults across the UK have yet to make an LPA, often because they misunderstand what it is or believe they can deal with it later in life.

What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you, known as the donor, to appoint one or more trusted individuals, known as attorneys, to make decisions on your behalf if you lose your mental capacity or are otherwise unable to manage your affairs. You can also appoint replacement attorneys to step into the shoes of your appointed attorney/attorneys should the person/persons you have originally appointed are not able to act on your behalf.

There are two types of LPA in England and Wales:

-Property and Financial Affairs LPA: This allows your attorney/attorneys to manage matters such as your bank accounts, paying your bills, managing your investments, handling any property transactions on your behalf and managing pensions also on your behalf. -Health and Welfare LPA: This covers decisions relating to medical treatment, care arrangements, daily routines and, if you choose, life-sustaining treatment decisions; it allows your attorney/attorneys to make such important medical decisions on your behalf.

You can create one or both types of LPAs depending on your needs and circumstances.

Why Age Shouldn't Be a Factor

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding LPAs is that they are only necessary in later life. While dementia and age-related illnesses are common reasons people lose capacity, they are far from the only reasons.

A serious road traffic accident, stroke, brain injury, severe illness or unexpected medical emergency could leave anyone temporarily or permanently unable to make decisions. If no LPA is in place, loved ones may find themselves unable to access bank accounts, manage finances or make important decisions about care and treatment.

For younger adults, particularly those with mortgages, children, businesses or significant financial commitments, the consequences of not having an LPA can be substantial.

The Difficulties of Not Having an LPA

Many people are surprised to learn that spouses, civil partners and adult children do not automatically have the legal authority to make decisions on another person's behalf. If someone loses mental capacity without an LPA in place, family members may need to apply to the Court of Protection to become a deputy. This process can be lengthy, expensive and emotionally draining at a time when families are already dealing with difficult circumstances.

Deputyship applications can take many months to be approved, and the appointed deputy may face ongoing supervision requirements and costs. During this period, access to finances and decision-making authority can be restricted, creating unnecessary stress and uncertainty. An LPA enables you to decide in advance who should act for you, avoiding the need for court involvement in many situations.

Protecting Your Financial Affairs

Financial obligations do not stop simply because someone becomes unable to manage their own affairs. Mortgage payments, household bills, insurance premiums and other financial commitments still need to be maintained. Without an authorised individual able to act on your behalf, practical problems can quickly arise.

A Property and Financial Affairs LPA enables your chosen attorney/attorneys to ensure your finances continue to be managed effectively. They can communicate with banks, investment providers, pension companies and utility suppliers, helping to keep your affairs running smoothly.

For business owners, an LPA can be particularly important. If key decisions cannot be made due to a loss of capacity, the impact on the business can be significant. Having trusted attorneys in place can help ensure continuity and protect the interests of employees, customers and stakeholders.

Ensuring Your Healthcare Wishes Are Respected

A Health and Welfare LPA gives your chosen attorneys the authority to make decisions regarding your care and treatment if you are unable to make those decisions yourself. This can include decisions about where you live, the type of care you receive, medical treatments and daily welfare matters.

By creating an LPA, you can choose individuals who understand your values, beliefs and personal preferences. This can provide reassurance that decisions will be made in line with your wishes rather than leaving professionals or family members to make difficult judgments without clear guidance. In situations where family members disagree about what should happen, an LPA can also help reduce conflict by clearly identifying who has legal authority to make decisions.

Choosing the Right Attorneys

Selecting an attorney or attorneys is a significant decision. Most people choose a spouse, partner, adult child, close family member or trusted friend. The key consideration is choosing people who are responsible, reliable and capable of acting in your best interests.

If possible, it is better to appoint more than one attorney, as if you only appoint one attorney and when it becomes necessary to use the LPA, that person is not able to act on your behalf, you are in the position of effectively not having a LPA. To avoid this situation, it is better to appoint at least two attorneys.

You can appoint more than one attorney and specify how they should make decisions. Some people choose attorneys with different strengths, such as one person with financial expertise and another who understands their healthcare preferences. It is also sensible to review your arrangements periodically to ensure they continue to reflect your circumstances.

If you choose more than one attorney, you can also specify if they must act together on your behalf or if they can act individually and also together.

Peace of Mind for You and Your Family

Ultimately, putting an LPA in place is about planning. It is not a prediction that something will go wrong, but a practical safeguard against life's uncertainties.

Similar to making a will or taking out insurance, an LPA provides protection should the unexpected happen. It ensures that the people you trust most can legally help when they are needed. For many families, the greatest benefit is peace of mind. Knowing that decisions can be made efficiently, finances can be managed appropriately, and healthcare wishes can be respected can remove a significant burden during what may already be a challenging time.

While no one likes to contemplate losing capacity, taking action now can make an enormous difference in the future. That is why every adult, regardless of age or circumstances, should seriously consider getting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place.