Martin Lewis Urges UK Households to Secure the £82 Power of Attorney Before the 17 November Deadline

Most people put it off. It feels like something you only need when things go wrong, and nobody wants to think about things going wrong. But Martin Lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert and the UK’s most trusted personal finance voice, is making the case clearly: if you haven’t sorted your power of attorney yet, the window to do it cheaply is closing fast.

What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A lasting power of attorney, known as an LPA, is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust — a family member, a close friend, or a professional — to make decisions on your behalf if you ever become unable to make them yourself. That could happen through illness, injury, a stroke, or cognitive decline such as dementia.

There are two types. A property and financial affairs LPA covers decisions about your bank accounts, bills, savings, and property. A health and welfare LPA covers decisions about your medical care, daily routine, and living arrangements. You can set one up, or both.

The critical point is this: you can only create an LPA while you still have mental capacity. Once someone loses the ability to make decisions for themselves, it’s too late. At that point, loved ones face a far more complicated and expensive route through the Court of Protection to get the legal authority to help.

The Fee Is About to More Than Triple

Currently, registering a lasting power of attorney costs £82. After the 17 November deadline, that fee rises to £273 — more than three times the current amount.

For individuals setting up both types of LPA, that means the cost jumps from £164 to £546. For a couple setting up both documents each, the difference between acting now and acting later is well over £700.

Lewis has been direct about this: “This is a real deadline. The cost is going up dramatically, and if you don’t get your application in by that date, you’ll have to pay the much higher fee.”

For households already managing the cost of living carefully, that’s not a trivial difference.

Why the Pandemic Made This More Urgent

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the issue into sharp relief for many families across the UK. People were hospitalised suddenly and unexpectedly. Spouses and children found themselves unable to access bank accounts, pay bills, or make healthcare decisions for their loved ones because no legal authority was in place.

The Court of Protection process that follows in the absence of an LPA is not just expensive — it can take many months, during which critical financial and medical decisions may be on hold. And the outcome may not reflect what the person would have wanted.

Having an LPA in place removes that uncertainty. It ensures your wishes are known, documented, and legally recognised before a crisis occurs rather than after.

How to Get Started

The process is more straightforward than many people expect. You can start at the government’s official website at www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney, where the forms and full guidance are available.

You complete the forms, have them witnessed and signed, and then submit them to the Office of the Public Guardian along with the registration fee. The process typically takes several weeks from start to finish, which is why acting promptly matters — particularly with the November deadline approaching.

You don’t legally need a solicitor to apply, though many people choose to use one to ensure everything is completed correctly, especially if their circumstances are complex.

Who Needs One?

The short answer is almost everyone, regardless of age. LPAs are often thought of as something for older people, but accidents, sudden illness, and unexpected health crises can affect anyone at any age.

If you have a mortgage, bank accounts, investments, or property, a financial LPA ensures someone can manage those on your behalf if needed. If you have strong views about medical treatment or care, a health and welfare LPA ensures those views are communicated and respected.

For couples, it’s worth noting that being married or in a civil partnership does not automatically give your partner the legal right to manage your finances or make healthcare decisions if you lose capacity. Without an LPA, they face the same obstacles as anyone else.

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the financial saving, there’s a deeper reason to act. An LPA is an act of care for the people around you. It removes the burden of uncertainty from your family during what would already be a difficult and frightening time. It means the people you love aren’t left navigating bureaucracy and legal proceedings when they most need to be focused on supporting you.

As geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Sarah Brown puts it: “Power of attorney is not just about money management — it’s also about healthcare decisions and ensuring your wishes are respected if you can no longer make them yourself. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a lasting power of attorney? A legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself, whether due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline.

What decisions can an attorney make? Depending on which type of LPA you set up, an attorney can manage your finances, bank accounts, property, and bills, or make decisions about your healthcare, daily care, and living arrangements.

Why is the fee increasing? The registration fee for a lasting power of attorney is currently £82 but rises to £273 after the 17 November deadline. The increase makes acting before that date a significant financial saving, particularly for those setting up multiple documents.

How long does the application process take? Several weeks from start to finish, which is why starting as soon as possible is important if you want to meet the November deadline comfortably.

What happens if I don’t have one in place? If you lose mental capacity without an LPA, your loved ones must apply to the Court of Protection to gain legal authority to act on your behalf. This process is significantly more expensive, can take many months, and may not reflect your personal wishes.

Can I change or revoke my LPA? Yes, as long as you still have mental capacity to do so. It’s worth reviewing your LPA periodically to ensure it still reflects your wishes and that your chosen attorneys are still appropriate.

Do I need a solicitor? You don’t legally need one, but many people find professional guidance helpful, particularly if their circumstances are complex. At minimum, the government website at www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney provides clear step-by-step guidance for those who prefer to manage the process themselves.