Stockport Solicitors for Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Lasting Power of Attorney Legal Services
Our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Stockport provide expert legal advice to clients across Stockport, Cheshire and nearby areas including Bramhall, Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Heald Green.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. It can cover financial affairs, health and welfare decisions, or both. Preparing an LPA is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your future and ensure your wishes are followed. If you only need someone to act on your behalf temporarily or for a specific task, a Limited Power of Attorney may be more appropriate.
We provide a clear and structured service to help you put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place without confusion or delay. Our LPA Solicitors will take time to understand your personal circumstances, draft the necessary documents accurately, and guide you through each stage of the process from instruction to registration.
We have been advising clients on LPAs since 2005, delivering reliable, legally sound support backed by years of practical experience. As a firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), we are committed to the highest standards of service and integrity. We’re proud to help individuals and families across Stockport and Greater Manchester plan ahead with confidence.
Speak to our lasting power of attorney solicitors today to arrange your Lasting Power of Attorney with clear guidance and expert legal support.
You can cancel an LPA you have made at any time when you still have capacity (including after registration).
How can our LPA Solicitors help?
Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place can feel complex, but our experienced LPA Solicitors in Stockport are here to provide clear guidance and complete legal support throughout.
When you work with us, we will:
- Advise you on the different types of LPA and which is right for your situation
- Help you choose appropriate attorneys and define their responsibilities
- Prepare all necessary documentation with accuracy and care
- Ensure your wishes are clearly recorded and legally enforceable
- Handle the application process and registration with the Office of the Public Guardian
- Provide ongoing support if changes or revocation are ever required
We tailor our service to your individual needs, ensuring that your LPA is fully compliant and reflects your intentions with clarity. With extensive experience in private client matters, you can rely on our team for support across Bramhall, Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Heald Green, as well as the wider Cheshire area.
Our Team of Specialist Solicitors
Our experienced team is here to provide expert guidance and a dependable, personalised service. We will ensure your wishes are clearly reflected and your documents are prepared and registered with care and efficiency.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to give someone you trust the authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity in the future. It ensures that important matters can be managed by a person of your choosing, rather than being left to the courts. There are two types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA which covers decisions about your money, bills, banking, investments, and property
- Health and Welfare LPA which covers decisions about your medical care, daily routine, living arrangements, and treatment preferences
You can choose to make one or both, depending on your needs. Each type must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.
An LPA gives you control over who acts for you and what they can do. It is a vital step in planning ahead and making sure your voice is heard, even if you are no longer able to speak for yourself.
This is different to a Limited Power of Attorney, which is only valid while you retain mental capacity and is used for short-term or specific matters.
What are the Different Types of Lasting Power of Attorney?
Anyone over the age of 18 can create a Lasting Power of Attorney, and there are two types available depending on the areas of life you wish to protect.
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
This type of LPA allows your chosen attorney to manage your finances and property. It can be used while you still have mental capacity, if you want support in handling your affairs, or it can be set to take effect only if you lose capacity in the future.
You can choose to limit your attorney’s authority to certain decisions, or give them full control over your financial matters. Common responsibilities under this LPA include:
- Managing bank accounts and paying bills
- Collecting pensions or benefits
- Paying a mortgage or rent
- Making investment decisions
- Buying or selling your home
Health and Welfare LPA
This LPA gives your attorney the legal authority to make decisions about your personal health and care. It only comes into effect if you lose the ability to make these decisions yourself. It can cover matters such as:
- Where you live and who you have contact with
- Your daily care and medical treatment
- Decisions about life-sustaining treatment (if specifically authorised)
- Consent or refusal of care in line with your preferences
Both types of LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used. Many people choose to have both in place to ensure all areas of their life are covered.
Contact our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Manchester today to find out how we can help you prepare the right documents and protect your future with confidence.
When is a Lasting Power of Attorney Most Useful?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is essential for future planning. It allows you to make clear arrangements now, in case you are unable to make decisions later due to illness, accident, or age-related conditions such as dementia.
Common situations where an LPA can provide protection and peace of mind include:
- Planning ahead in case of loss of mental capacity
- Receiving a diagnosis of a progressive or neurological condition
- Wanting to avoid court involvement in decisions about your care or finances
- Ensuring a trusted person can access your bank accounts or pay bills if needed
- Giving family or carers legal authority to speak with healthcare providers
- Setting out preferences for care, medical treatment, or living arrangements
Unlike a Limited Power of Attorney, which is only valid while you have capacity, an LPA remains in effect even if you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.
Preparing an LPA in advance helps avoid uncertainty and provides clear direction for those close to you when it matters most. If you want to plan ahead and protect your future decisions, our LPA Solicitors in Manchester are here to guide you through the process with clarity and care.
What Happens if There is No LPA in Place?
If someone loses mental capacity and no Lasting Power of Attorney has been registered, their loved ones do not automatically have the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf. This can make even simple tasks such as managing bank accounts or speaking to care providers extremely difficult.
In these cases, the only option is to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This is a formal process that allows the court to appoint a deputy to manage the person’s affairs. Key differences include:
- Applications to the Court of Protection can take several months, leaving families without legal authority during that time
- The process involves higher costs, including court fees, medical assessments, and ongoing reporting requirements
- The court has the final say on who is appointed, which may not reflect the wishes of the person who has lost capacity
- Deputies face stricter rules and less flexibility, often needing approval for certain financial or care decisions
Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place early avoids these issues, giving you control and easing the burden on those you trust to act for you. Speak to our experienced LPA Solicitors in Stockport & Manchester today for clear, practical guidance on how to get started.
How Long Does Appointing a Lasting Power of Attorney Take?
The time our work takes to conclude will depend on precisely what we are asked to do, but we would generally expect to have taken your instructions within two days of you having bought this product, and we would normally expect to have produced the finished product within 10 working days of your decision to buy the product.
Special dispatch may be available where necessary (possibly at extra charge in some cases – please ask). Registration of an LPA with the OPG can take 6 – 12 weeks for the OPG to process. Our work for you will include:
- Taking your instructions and producing from them a
- Lasting Power of Attorney document
- Guiding you through the process of executing it and overseeing completion
- Checking that the execution appears to be legally compliant
- Managing completion of the LPAs for attorneys, even if they live remotely
- If you wish, we can also securely store the original document for you providing you with a copy for your retention at no extra cost
- Applying to register your LPA with the OPG if you require.
Money Matters
This service is for taking your instructions and producing from them a Lasting Power of Attorney document, then guiding you through the process of executing it and overseeing its correct completion including checking that the execution appears to be legally compliant. Registration with the OPG is an additional service – see below. We offer the option at no extra cost of securely storing the original document for you, while providing you with a copy for your retention.
Registered LPA for a single person (£668)
The service is for producing one of the two possible forms of LPA for one person and registering it with the OPG. The price quoted is our gross fee for assisting with the process, that does not include the £82 Government registration fee itself, which you will have to pay on top of our gross fee.
Registered LPA - 2 LPAs for 1 person (£1,240)
The service is for producing both of the two possible forms of LPA for one person and registering them with the OPG. The price quoted is our gross fee for assisting with the process, that does not include the £164 Government registration fee itself, which you will have to pay on top of our gross fee.
Registered LPA - 1 LPA each for 2 people (£1,240)
The service is for producing one of the two possible forms of LPA for each of a couple and registering them with the OPG. The price quoted is our gross fee for assisting with the process, that does not include the £164 Government registration fee itself, which you will have to pay on top of our gross fee.
Registered LPA - 2 LPAs each for 2 people (£2,168)
The service is for producing both of the two possible forms of LPA for each of a couple and registering them with the OPG. The price quoted is our gross fee for assisting with the process, that does not include the £328 Government registration fee itself, which you will have to pay on top of our gross fee.
Unregistered LPAs - 1 LPA for 1 person (£360)
The service is for producing one of the two possible forms of LPA for one person (but not registering it with the OPG).
Unregistered LPAs - 2 LPAs for 1 person (£600)
The service is for producing both of the two possible forms of LPA for one person (but not registering them with the OPG).
Unregistered LPAs - 1 LPA each for 2 people (£600)
The service is for producing one of the two possible forms of LPA for each of a couple (but not registering them with the OPG).
Unregistered LPAs - 2 LPAs each for 2 people (£900)
The service is for producing both of the two possible forms of LPA for each of a couple (but not registering them with the OPG).
Your supplier is SRA-regulated Mounteney Solicitors, that charges VAT some customers may be able to reclaim
There is more info about our fees here
If you have any questions, require any further information, or would like to engage us on the T&Cs linked Our Terms in the footer below, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
Frequently Asked Questions Lasting Power of Attorney
What is the cost of lasting power of attorney?
The total cost of setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney will depend on whether you are making one or both types of LPA (Property and Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare), and whether you choose to register the documents straight away.
At Mounteney Solicitors, we offer fixed fee pricing so you know exactly what to expect from the outset. Our fees cover all the legal drafting, oversight of the signing process, and optional registration with the Office of the Public Guardian. The OPG charges a separate registration fee, which is standard nationwide, although fee reductions or exemptions may apply in certain cases.
If you’re seeking a clear breakdown of our fixed fee service or want to discuss any additional support, such as storing the original document securely, we’ll be happy to explain this in full. You can trust that our service provides not just affordability, but genuine value for your peace of mind.
Why use a Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitor?
While it’s possible to create a Lasting Power of Attorney yourself, working with a Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitor ensures that your documents are drafted correctly, your wishes are clearly expressed, and costly errors are avoided.
The legal formalities surrounding LPAs can be technical and easy to misinterpret. Even small mistakes in how the document is signed, witnessed or worded can lead to delays, rejection by the Office of the Public Guardian, or unintended consequences for your attorneys. Our solicitors provide peace of mind that your LPA will be legally sound, fully compliant, and structured in a way that reflects your precise intentions.
In complex family situations, blended families, or where significant assets are involved, a solicitor’s advice can also help prevent disputes or misuse of authority in the future. Choosing to instruct a solicitor is not just about ticking a legal box, it’s about ensuring your future decisions are protected with the care they deserve.
What is the difference between an Ordinary Power of Attorney and a Lasting Power of Attorney?
The main difference between an Ordinary Power of Attorney (OPA) and a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lies in their duration and when they can be used.
An Ordinary Power of Attorney is only valid while you have mental capacity. It is typically used for temporary or specific purposes, such as if you’re abroad for a period or physically unable to manage your affairs. Once you lose capacity, it automatically becomes invalid.
A Lasting Power of Attorney, on the other hand, is designed specifically for use if you lose mental capacity in the future. It must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used, but once registered, it remains legally valid even if you can no longer make decisions for yourself.
Only LPAs provide the long-term protection needed to plan ahead for illness, injury, or conditions like dementia. That’s why they are the preferred option for safeguarding your personal welfare and financial matters over the longer term.
Should an LPA be registered straight away?
A Lasting Power of Attorney cannot be used until it has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. Some people choose to prepare an LPA and leave it unregistered until it is needed, while others prefer to register it straight away so it is ready to use if circumstances change.
Registering an LPA promptly can provide reassurance and help avoid delays if mental capacity is lost unexpectedly. Waiting to register may seem more cost-effective in the short term, but it can create difficulties if decisions need to be made urgently.
Our solicitors can advise you on the most suitable approach based on your personal circumstances, family arrangements and future plans.
What happens if there is no LPA in place?
If you lose mental capacity without a registered Lasting Power of Attorney in place, your family or loved ones cannot automatically step in to manage your affairs. This can affect practical matters such as paying bills, dealing with bank accounts and managing property, as well as decisions about care, treatment and where you live.
In these circumstances, an application may need to be made to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This process is usually more time-consuming, more expensive and less flexible than putting an LPA in place in advance.
It may also mean that the court appoints someone you would not have chosen yourself. Deputies are also subject to ongoing reporting and supervision requirements, which can place an additional burden on those closest to you.
What is a certificate provider?
A certificate provider is the person who confirms that you understand the Lasting Power of Attorney, that you are making it willingly and that no one is putting you under pressure to do so. This is an important safeguard in the LPA process.
A certificate provider may be a professional, such as a solicitor, doctor or accountant. Alternatively, they can be someone who has known you well for at least two years and is able to confirm that you understand what you are signing.
Where appropriate, and depending on your circumstances, we may be able to act as certificate provider as part of our Lasting Power of Attorney service.
Contact our LPA Solicitors in Stockport & Greater Manchester
If you are looking to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney, our experienced LPA Solicitors are here to provide expert guidance and a dependable, personalised service. Our Personal Solicitors will ensure your wishes are clearly reflected and your documents are prepared and registered with care and efficiency.
As established Solicitors in Stockport, we have been helping individuals and families across Stockport and Greater Manchester since 2005. We are known for delivering legal advice with clarity, accuracy, and a genuine commitment to client confidence.
We have offices in Bramhall, Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Heald Green, and we support clients throughout Stockport and Manchester, including Altrincham, Marple, Poynton, Macclesfield, Wilmslow, and Sale. To make the process even more convenient, we also offer virtual consultations to fit around your schedule.
Contact us today to speak to one of our Lasting Power of Attorney Solicitors in Stockport and take the next step in planning for the future with confidence.
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